Zimbabwe's $600mln junk food problem

ZIMBABWE has been flagged as a breeding ground for unhealthy processed food and sweetened beverages, with total sales reaching US$623 million in the period 2021 to 2024, buoyed by economic instability, poverty and inequality, a United Nations agency has said.

The surge is also attributed to inflated prices of fresh produce especially in urban areas. The agency said only about 2% of Zimbabweans could afford a balanced meal.

In its report on the market size of unhealthy food and beverages in Zimbabwe, Unicef said restricted access to healthy diets was worsening nutrition outcomes.

"Total sales of unhealthy processed foods, sweetened beverages and fast food in Zimbabwe reached US$623 million in 2024, having grown by a total of 39% in the period between 2021 and 2024," the report said.

"Sugar-sweetened beverages experienced an average 17% annual retail (formal and informal) value growth across the four years. Worth US$293 million in 2024, it is the largest category among the three covered by the study."

Unicef said the growth model of food and beverage manufacturers heavily targeted children, with products mainly sold through informal markets due to low prices and proximity to schools and transport hubs.

"Tuckshops, mobile vendors and unregistered kiosks serve as primary outlets for snacks and drinks, particularly for children, commuters and low-income consumers," it said.

To curb the trend, the UN agency recommended Codex-aligned food labelling standards, including front-of-pack nutrition labels to help families to identify products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.

Unicef said Zimbabwe's food legislation was in dire need of a comprehensive review to update, streamline and eliminate overlap and duplication in oversight responsibilities.

"Zimbabwe's food legislation is, therefore, in need of a comprehensive review to update, streamline and eliminate overlap and duplication in oversight responsibilities," it said.

Restricting the marketing of unhealthy fo