Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming one of Ethiopia’s most significant public health challenges. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases are already responsible for a substantial share of deaths in the country, while the economic consequences of NCDs are increasingly felt through rising healthcare costs, reduced productivity and premature loss of productive age adults. Preventing NCDs and controlling therefore requires actions beyond screening and clinical services within the health sector. But this requires addressing the major modifiable risk factors that drive the growing NCDs. Among these, unhealthy diets, particularly diets high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats, are an important and increasingly urgent concern.

The changing food environment in Ethiopia is contributing to this challenge. Ultra-processed packaged foods and sugar-sweetened beverages are becoming increasingly available, affordable and accessible, including in schools, neighborhoods, markets, and other settings frequented by children and adolescents. Products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats are often promoted through attractive packaging, marketing and other commercial practices that can influence dietary preferences, particularly among younger consumers. Without appropriate safeguards, these trends risk contributing to unhealthy dietary habits and increasing the future burden of diet-related NCDs. This emerging situation also requires for stronger policies to improve access to healthier foods, protect children and adolescents from harmful food marketing, and prevent diet-related NCDs.

The Government of Ethiopia has demonstrated important leadership in NCD prevention and control through measures addressing major risk factors, including tobacco and alcohol control, as well as initiatives promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles. These efforts provide an important foundation for a comprehensive approach to NCD prevention. However, unhealthy diets remain an important policy gap that requires greater attention. The proposed Unhealthy Diet Control Proclamation provides a timely and critical opportunity to address this gap through a package of practical, evidence-based policy framework. The proposed measures include front-of-package warning labels, restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children and youth, and elimination of industrially produced trans fats, among other measures.

These interventions are not intended to prohibit the food and beverage industry from operating or prevent consumers right from making their own choices. Rather, they aim to create a healthier, safer and more transparent food environment by ensuring that consumers have clear information about products and that children are better protected from commercial practices that may encourage unhealthy dietary consumption. As the draft proclamation advances through the legislative process, it is important that discussions about its potential implications remain grounded in evidence and the primary objective of protecting public health. Concerns raised by different industries, to influence the legislative process and shape the understanding of the draft proclamation among key government institutions, including those relating to investment, employment, government revenue, international trade agreement and illicit markets, should be carefully considered. However, they should also be weighed against the substantial and long-term health and economic costs associated with preventable NCDs.

International experience demonstrates that effective NCD prevention requires a combination of interventions addressing tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, air pollution and unhealthy diets. Addressing only some of these risk factors leaves important gaps in the national prevention response. The proposed proclamation should therefore be viewed as a complementary component of Ethiopia’s broader NCD prevention efforts, rather than as a measure against any industry. Its objective is to reduce preventable health risks, support informed consumer choices and contribute to a healthier food environment for current and future generations.

Ethiopia has made important progress in strengthening its response to NCDs. Advancing a comprehensive framework for unhealthy diet control would build on this progress and help ensure that the country’s NCD prevention strategy addresses the major risk factors in a more holistic, sustainable and coordinated manner.

Preventing NCDs begins with addressing their preventable risk factors. Ensuring a healthier food environment today is therefore an investment in Ethiopia’s human capital, economic productivity and prosperity tomorrow.

Wondu Bekele, Chief Executive Director, Mathiwos Wondu Foundation. Email:[email protected]

Contributed by Wondu Bekele