By Gideon Ogutu

Gideon Ogutu, Programme Officer, Health Governance, IILA

Take a moment and think about the last snack or drink you picked up from a supermarket, kiosk, or petrol station. It may have been a packet of crisps, flavoured yoghurt, a sweetened juice, or a fizzy drink.

The packaging probably looked colourful, appealing, and perhaps even healthy. But here is a question many of us rarely stop to ask in that moment: What exactly is inside that product, and how does consuming it affect my health over time?

Across Kenya, the eating patterns have changed significantly over the past two decades. Busy work schedules, long commutes, and the increasing availability of packaged foods have made quick meals and snacks a normal part of everyday life. And lately, the weather itself has added another layer to that reality.

With heavy rains pouring across many parts of the country, the daily routine becomes even more exhausting; navigating flooded roads, sitting through traffic, or getting caught in unexpected downpours while trying to make it home. By the time many people finally walk through the door, the last thing anyone wants is to start preparing a full meal from scratch.

Instead, what often feels easiest is reaching for something quick: a packaged snack, instant noodles, biscuits with tea, or a sugary drink. These foods offer convenience and comfort after a long, wet commute. Yet many of them contain high levels of sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats. These nutrients, when consumed frequently, significantly increase the risk of obesity and other serious health conditions.

What makes this even more challenging is that these ingredients are not always obvious. They are usually listed on technical nutrition tables on the back of packages, making it difficult for consumers to quickly understand what they are buying in the middle of a busy shopping trip.

The impact of these changing diets is becoming increasingly visible. According to the World Health Organization, overweight and obesity have nearly tripled worldwide since 1975, and the trend is rising steadily across many African countries.

In Kenya, data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022 shows that nearly 2 out of every 5 adults are overweight or obese, with women in urban areas particularly affected. At the same time, 7.8% of children are overweight and obese. This is because they are increasingly exposed to highly processed foods and sugary drinks, meaning that weight-related health risks are beginning earlier in life than ever before.

This is particularly concerning because obesity is closely linked to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, which are conditions that place a growing burden on families, communities, and the national health system.

Yet for most Kenyans, the issue is not a lack of concern about health. Many people genuinely want to make better food choices for themselves and their families. The real challenge is information.

When a parent stands in a supermarket aisle comparing two breakfast cereals, snacks, or drinks, it can be almost impossible to quickly determine which option is healthier. The information may be there, but it often requires time, patience, and a level of technical understanding that many shoppers simply do not have in the middle of everyday responsibilities.

This is where Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) can make a meaningful difference. These labels are simple, clear symbols placed on the front of food packaging to warn consumers when a product contains high levels of sugar, salt, or unhealthy fat. Instead of searching through fine print, shoppers can immediately see a visible warning that helps them make an informed decision within seconds.

Evidence from countries like Chile and Mexico that have implemented such labelling systems shows that they help consumers choose healthier options.

For Kenyan families, the benefit is easy to imagine. Picture walking into a supermarket after a long, rainy commute. You are tired, your clothes may still be damp, and all you want is something quick to take home. In that moment, you do not have the time or energy to analyse complicated nutrition tables.

A clear warning label on the front of a package can instantly tell you whether a product is high in sugar or salt before it lands in your basket. That small moment of awareness can influence everyday decisions; what goes into a child’s lunchbox, what is served at breakfast, and what becomes part of a family’s regular diet.

As the world marks World Obesity Day this month, the conversation about obesity is no longer just about personal choices or willpower. It is about ensuring that people have the right information at the right moment.

In a fast-moving and often unpredictable environment, simple tools like Front-of-Pack Warning Labels can help make the healthy choice the easy choice. And sometimes, something as small as a clear warning on the front of a package can play a powerful role in protecting the health of families across Kenya.

Gideon Ogutu is the Programme Officer, Health Governance, International Institute for Legislative Affairs