Nutritional quality and labelling of packaged food and non-alcoholic beverage products in Kenya
Implications for child-focused food environment policies
Highlights
This report explores how current packaged food and beverage offerings in Kenya are shaping children’s diets. It highlights critical gaps in the availability of clear nutrition information in the labels of packaged foods, making it difficult for families to make informed product choices. The study finds that products intended for children tend to be the least likely to have complete nutrition information in their packaging.
The analysis shows that broader societal pressures — urbanisation, evolving lifestyles, pervasive product marketing – are influencing the family’s food choices. The proliferation of processed and packaged foods is driving dietary patterns that contribute to childhood overweight and diet-related diseases, especially among lower-income households for whom affordable options often lack proper and adequate nutritional labeling in the shelves.
The report underscores an urgent need for stronger policies for packaged foods, including clear and proper nutrition labelling, stricter nutrient standards, and improved monitoring and enforcement in the marketplace. These interventions are essential for steering the market toward healthier products, support families to make informed choices, and safeguard children’s nutritional health and well-being amid Kenya’s rapidly changing food landscape.
Download the report to learn more.
