Ministry of Health reveals plans to restrict advertisement of unhealthy food
The Ministry of Health has unveiled plans to tighten controls on the marketing and availability of unhealthy food products, aiming to tackle the escalating burden of diet-related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Kenya.
Speaking through their X platform on Monday, 9 June 2025, ministry officials introduced a Nutrient Profile Model that sets specific limits on sodium, sugar, and saturated fats in processed foods and beverages.
This framework will guide regulators in identifying and restricting products contributing to increasing cases of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
Nutrient limits enforced
The Nutrient Profile Model is designed to establish clear thresholds for unhealthy ingredients, enabling authorities to clamp down on foods with harmful levels of key nutrients.
“This model will allow us to clearly identify foods that pose a health risk and regulate their promotion,” the ministry stated. “We are targeting unhealthy foods that disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, especially children.”
The policy seeks to ensure that only products meeting health standards remain widely available, reducing the risk factors fueling Kenya’s NCD epidemic.
Marketing restrictions targeted
The Ministry plans to impose stringent restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods, especially those aimed at children.
Proposed measures include banning such advertisements on television, digital platforms, and outdoor media during times when children are the primary audience.
Fiscal policies such as sugar taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages are also under consideration to reduce consumption linked to obesity and diabetes.
Further, the Ministry aims to regulate the availability of unhealthy foods in schools and public institutions, promoting healthier dietary habits among young Kenyans.
Collaborative approach
On the same day, the Ministry convened a consultative meeting with representatives from Bloomberg Philanthropies to explore partnership opportunities that would accelerate the rollout and enforcement of the new food policies.
“These interventions are anchored in the government’s wider strategy to promote healthier diets and prevent NCDs,” the ministry statement read.
The ministry emphasize that urgent action is necessary to reverse current trends and safeguard public health.
