Kenyan Study Shows Front-of-Pack Warning Labels Effectively Promote Healthy Food Choices

In Kenya, where diet-related health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are rapidly increasing, researchers are exploring how to encourage healthier eating habits. These conditions are largely driven by high consumption of sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats, placing additional pressure on the already strained healthcare system. An important step toward addressing this problem involves enhancing consumer understanding of food nutrition information, which is often complex and difficult to interpret due to small, intricate labels on food packaging.

A recent study investigated whether front-of-pack (FOP) food labels could help Kenyan consumers make better, more informed choices. Unlike the traditional back-of-pack labels, which contain detailed nutritional data and ingredient lists, FOP labels are simplified, visible on the front of packages, and designed to quickly convey key nutritional information using symbols, colors, or ratings. Various countries such as Chile, Mexico, and Israel have already adopted mandatory warning labels, resulting in positive public health outcomes.

Kenya is planning to introduce a new labeling system that will use FOP labels to rank packaged foods and beverages based on their nutritional quality. This initiative aims to improve food environment policies by making it easier for consumers to spot unhealthy products and to support measures like restricting unhealthy food marketing to children. As traditional dietary patterns shift toward processed food, the need for clear and simple nutrition labels becomes more urgent.

The study involved 2,198 adults from Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Garissa, who were randomly assigned to three different label types: a red and green octagon indicating high or low levels of salt, sugar, and fats; a similar label with added icons for better understanding; and a black octagon warning label highlighting foods high in unhealthy nutrients.

Participants evaluated food images with and without labels to determine how well each type influenced their recognition of unhealthy products and their purchasing intentions. The findings indicated that warning labels were most effective, as participants showed higher awareness of foods high in harmful nutrients and were less inclined to purchase them after seeing the warning labels.

Additionally, about 64% of respondents reported awareness of food labels, with 55% reading nutrition information before buying. These results reinforce the potential of simple, standardized FOP warning labels to influence consumer behavior.

Looking ahead, the study supports implementing mandatory front-of-pack labeling in Kenya, which could lead to healthier food choices and improved public health outcomes. By establishing clear policies and regulations, Kenya can better inform its population—especially vulnerable groups—about healthy eating, combat rising obesity rates, and reduce diet-related diseases. Ongoing legislative efforts provide an opportunity to adopt effective labeling reforms that are easy to understand and prominently displayed on packaged foods.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-bad-health-kenyan-food.html