Wellness doesn’t begin at the hospital door; it begins with what people eat every day in their homes, in schools, in shops, and on the street.
Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu highlighted this while making his remarks at the launch of the Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling Workshop in Suva yesterday.
“Every Fijian deserves access to clear, honest food information,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“Every child deserves protection from misleading marketing. And every policymaker, health worker, teacher, and citizen has a role to play.”
He said the workshop would validate findings from the national legal and institutional review.
“We will listen, discuss, map out solutions, and most importantly, we will act.
“This is our opportunity to develop a clear, coordinated plan to implement front-of-pack nutrition labelling and responsible food marketing regulations that protect all Fijians, especially our children.
“Let me also emphasise that this is not a standalone effort, it is part of our broader commitment to the Wellness Fiji agenda.”
Dr Lalabalavu said the food environment of Fiji must change.
“And we are the ones to lead that change,” he said.
“We meet today with a common mission — to create food environments that support, not undermine wellness, choice, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases, because right now, the reality is stark.”