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Speakers at a session titled “The Role of Media in Public Health Advocacy,” Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Banglamotor, Dhaka on Tuesday.
A media workshop titled "FOPL in Ensuring Safe Food and Public Health Protection: The Role of Media" was held to emphasize the necessity of implementing 'Front of Package Labeling' (FOPL) on processed food packages to ensure food safety and prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The workshop was organized by the Dhaka Ahsania Mission Health Sector at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Banglamotor, Dhaka on Tuesday.
Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar, Chairman of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, attended the workshop as the chief guest. He stated: "Knowing about the nutritional value of food is a fundamental right of the people. To protect public health, the government is working on the rapid formulation and implementation of Front of Package Labeling so that harmful ingredients in processed foods can be easily identified. The media can play a crucial role in creating public awareness regarding this matter."
The workshop was presided over by Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, with Mohammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, delivering speech as the special guest.
Speakers noted that displaying easy-to-understand and clear nutritional information on food packaging is an internationally recognized and effective method for protecting public health. Therefore, it is urgent to quickly formulate and enforce the necessary policies and legal obligations to implement FOPL.
During the workshop, several technical sessions were conducted: "Food Environment, Non-Communicable Diseases, and FOPL in Bangladesh" " Conducted by Shamsun Nahar Mohua, Chief Nutritionist at BIRDEM General Hospital.
“The Role of Media in Public Health Advocacy,” Discussed by Moinul Hasan Sohel, General Secretary of the Dhaka Reporters' Unity.
"Challenges and To-Dos in Effective Reporting on FOPL" " Led by Abu Rushd Md Ruhul Amin, Senior News Editor at Banglavision.
The discussants urged the media to publish more investigative, fact-based, and sustained reports on the implementation of Front-of-Package Labeling (FOPL) to help protect public health.
A total of 28 journalists from various print, television, and online media outlets across the country participated in the workshop. The participants pledged to produce public-interest stories and awareness-focused reports on FOPL. The workshop concluded with an open discussion and question-and-answer session, followed by a vote of thanks.
