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Ublic health policies should be prepared to protect the welfare of citizens to fulfill the interests of powerful corporate institutions. Nevertheless, we are witnessing a dangerous trend in Pakistan where the food industry is trying to affect the public decisions rapidly, especially in the formation of policy measures, which aims to reduce the consumption of processed food products, which contains nutrients of concern, such as healthy, healthy, and healthy fat. This influence comprises the health of our nation, promotes the growing burden of non -communication diseases (NCDs) and puts unstable pressure on our already stressful health care system.
Scientific evidence is to a great extent to the excessive consumption of these ingredients to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, obesity and hypertension – apparatus that are not only reducing the standard of living of millions but also spoiling economic productivity. The World Health Organization has repeatedly called on governments to implement strong financial measures, including taxes and regulatory restrictions, to prevent consumption of unhealthy food products and promote healthy dietary habits. Despite these recommendations, corporate lobbying with policy makers and industry -led engagements are hindering the implementation of evidence -based health policies in Pakistan.
Recent developments highlight how the industry is forming a statement around the food policy. At a closed door meeting organized by the industry with key government officials in India and recently during a conference held at a public sector university in Faisalabad, industry representatives presented numerous arguments designed to overcome the government regulation. In addition, the FBR, the Ministry of Finance and other important ministries are undergoing a record engagement through the Food and Beverage Industry.
Some players in the industry and their front groups are criticizing policy measures aimed at improving the public health, and has been claimed that they are hindering business growth. It is appropriate to mention that taxing all kinds of sugar beverages such as financial measures are evidence -based tools that discourage harmful product consumption, reduce their health risks and burden of diseases, reduce hospital costs and benefit the economy. Industry players have also advocated self -examination of organic products instead of the government’s mandate regulation. This can significantly reduce accountability and allow corporations to continue marketing of unhealthy products under health misleading claims.
These statements are not isolated events, but are part of a broad strategy to weaken public health policies and avoid strict government regulations.
One of the most aspects of corporate intervention in public health is to directly target children. More products are marketing in nutritional nutrients of concern by using a number of strategies, including the use of digital media and cartoon characters. Such marketing of unhealthy food and beverage products is part of efforts to weaken such product consumption.
Health is not an isolated problem – it is combined with education, economic stability and national development.
In addition, involvement in nutrition programs in schools offends efforts to create a healthy eating environment for children. Under Punjab Educational Institutions, Food Standards Regulations, 2017, the sale and distribution of carbonated beverages, including multinational corporations, are prohibited in the cafeteria and 100 meters in educational institutions. Despite these rules, we are watching the troubled efforts by corporations to connect our brands to school -based nutritional measures. Allowing companies selling unhealthy food products to play their role in shaping school nutrition policies or interference are at risk of legalizing their products and increasing consumption in children. Such partnerships contradict the government’s regulations and public health goals, which send mixed signals to students, parents and teachers.
Wealth Protection Wee, We must take immediate and decisive steps to prevent the industry’s inappropriate influence in the food policy.
Any engagement between policy makers and industry representatives should be open to check through transparent, documentary and public health specialists and civil society organizations. Closed door meetings only undermine public confidence and weaken regulatory efforts.
It is equally important to ensure that financial measures such as sugar beverages should be guided by scientific evidence, healthcare priorities and WHO’s recommended standards, not the industry’s priorities. Policies should be designed to reduce the consumption of harmful food products rather than adjust the goals of corporate profit. This includes imposing more taxes on sugar sweet drinks, regulating industrial trans fats and discouraging high sodium product consumption through targeted policy measures.
Clear guidelines must be developed to prevent the inappropriate influence of the industry in policymaking. The decision makers must be held accountable to ensure that health and fitness are at the forefront of all policy debates.
Health is not an isolated problem – it is combined with education, economic stability and national development. Pakistan is already facing a health crisis -powered health crisis. If we allow industry players to influence policies that aims to protect public health, we are in danger of promoting this crisis. The entire state machinery needs to be shown to take careless measures to protect the public health and to prioritize the welfare of our citizens.
Author is a member of the National Assembly
