Experts warn of health crisis as addiction to processed foods rises

HEALTH experts and civil society groups are voicing urgent concerns over South Africa’s growing reliance on ultra-processed foods and the aggressive marketing strategies used to promote them, warning of a looming public health crisis.

- ANITA NKONKI

The Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) revealed that nearly half of South African adults are overweight or obese, while childhood obesity has surged from one in 20 to one in eight in just a decade. The alliance says if current trends continue, more than 4 million children aged 5 to 19 could be living with obesity by 2031, placing the country among the 10 worst-affected globally.

In light of this crisis, advocates are championing the introduction of Front-of-Package Warning Labels (FoPWL), designed to inform consumers of high sugar, salt, and fat content in foods.