Food Producers Putting Profit Above Public Health — Dietitian Warns
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
Registered Dietitian Nana Ama Dwamena has stressed the need for clearer front-of-pack labelling on high-sodium foods to help consumers make healthier choices and reduce their risk of hypertension and related diseases.
Speaking on the Business Breakfast show on Zed, Ms. Dwamena explained that the recommended daily sodium intake for the average person is not more than 2,300 milligrams. She added that individuals with hypertension, diabetes, or sodium-related health issues may require even lower limits.
“For a regular, healthy person, the upper limit of sodium is about 2,300 milligrams a day. So if a single product like a small biscuit already exceeds that amount, then something is definitely wrong,” she stressed.
Ms. Dwamena emphasised that food items containing excessive salt should clearly display a ‘High Sodium’ warning on the front of the package, in addition to the usual nutritional information printed on the back.
“This kind of front-of-pack label allows consumers to identify high-salt products instantly. You won’t even need to pick it up, just one look from a distance and you know it’s high in salt, so you can move on and choose something healthier,” she explained.
The dietitian also stressed that such labelling reforms would better protect consumers, many of whom may not have the time or knowledge to interpret detailed nutrition panels.
Ms. Dwamena, however, criticised the growing trend of profit-driven practices among food producers and retailers, urging them to prioritise consumer safety and well-being.
She highlighted that many businesses are becoming increasingly focused on financial gains rather than the impact of their products on public health.
“We are at a point in the world where people care more about profits than impact. People are becoming greedy, and that shouldn’t be the case. As a producer, you must focus on how your product benefits people. If your product is harming consumers, then what is the point,” she stressed.
Ms. Dwamena called for stricter monitoring and for producers and retailers alike to uphold transparency and integrity to protect public health.
