Zimbabwe flagged as emerging junk food hotspot

Zimbabwe has been identified as a growing market for unhealthy processed foods and sugary drinks, with total sales estimated at US$623 million between 2021 and 2024, according to a new report by UNICEF. The surge in consumption has been linked to rising poverty levels, food price inflation, urban vulnerability and widening inequality, which have made nutritious diets inaccessible to most households. The agency estimates that just two percent of Zimbabweans can afford a balanced meal, a figure it describes as alarming for public health.

The report shows that sales of unhealthy products have increased by 39 percent in the last four years, with sugar-sweetened beverages dominating the market. Worth US$293 million in 2024 alone, sugary drinks recorded an average annual retail value growth of 17 percent, making them the largest consumer category among the foods studied. UNICEF warned that producers are increasingly targeting children, capitalising on cheap prices and widespread availability through informal markets.

Tuckshops, mobile vendors and unregistered kiosks are the primary distribution points for snacks and carbonated drinks. Their strategic proximity to schools, bus ranks and densely populated urban suburbs has made them the default source of food for children, commuters and low-income earners. UNICEF said the trend is widening nutrition gaps, exposing millions to health risks associated with high sugar, salt and fat intake.

The organisation has urged the Government of Zimbabwe to take decisive action to reverse the growing dependence on unhealthy diets. It recommends the introduction of clearer food labelling standards aligned with global Codex guidelines. Such labels, particularly front-of-pack warnings, would enable families to distinguish between nutritious foods and products that contribute to lifestyle-related diseases.

The report further notes that Zimbabwe's food legislation is outdated, fragmented and in need of urgent overhaul. UNICEF argues that overlapping regulatory mandates weaken enforcement and create loopholes exploited by manufacturers and retailers. The agency has also called for statutory restrictions on the advertising and marketing of unhealthy foods to children. It wants such regulation applied across all media platforms, including digital spaces, and in all environments frequented by minors.

UNICEF believes public institutions should lead by example by creating healthier food environments. It says schools, hospitals, government departments and civic centres should phase out the sale and promotion of junk foods within their spaces and surrounding environments in favour of fresh, nutritious options.

As consumption of processed foods accelerates, health experts warn that Zimbabwe risks rising cases of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other diet-related illnesses. With poor households relying heavily on cheap fast foods and sugary drinks, the long-term impact is expected to place a strain on both families and the national health system if intervention is delayed.

The UN agency maintains that reversing the trend will require strong policy reform, tighter regulation and a national shift toward healthier food choices before the effects of an increasingly sugar-dependent population become irreversible.