By Albert Allotey, GNA
Accra, Dec. 13, GNA – Madam Jane Amerley Oku, the Chief Executive Officer of the Janok Foundation, a community-based organisation has urged the public to ensure they read the front-of-pack labels of food products before purchasing.
She said this would help them make informed choices to avoid products high in sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and expiry dates, which were some of the key contributing factors to diseases.
Madam Oku gave the advice when she embarked on Front-of-Pack Warning Label (FOPWL) awareness campaign to educate the people on the importance of reading labels on food products.
She carried the sensitisation programme at Lartebiokorshie, Town Council Line, Jamestown, and Abossey Okai in the Greater Accra Region, with support from SEND-Ghana.
She said after reading the highlights of the products one can quickly compare the nutrients to his or her health goals and decide if they fit to their diet.
Madam Oku said excessive intake of sugars, fats, and sodium led to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, cancers, cardiovascular and brain diseases and kidney failures.
She emphasised that there was the need for the citizenry to critically read the labels of food products and to adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy diets, engaging in regular physical activities, and refrain from the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
“Together, we can build a future where informed choices lead to healthier living,” she concluded.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade