Diabetes

Interview: High Sugar Consumption in Baby Foods Sparks Health Alarm

Photo: NAFSAN Windhoek, Namibia — The Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN) has raised urgent concerns about the rising consumption of sugar, particularly among young children, in an interview with director Ben Schernick. The issue, he says, goes beyond individual dietary preferences and has deep public health and economic implications. “One of our biggest concerns is the high level of sugar consumption, especially among children between the ages […]

15 December, 2025

Health / Medical

Schernick Calls for Action on Sugar Consumption

Ben Schernick, director of the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia warns that the government’s 2010 VAT exemption on white and brown sugar is effectively encouraging harmful sugar consumption. He emphasizes the need for legislation, company monitoring, and public awareness campaigns to address rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other sugar-related health problems.

15 December, 2025

Lifestyle

Return to traditional diets could help prevent eye diseases

Blood sugar levels test (Photo: www.eyeqindia.com) The Ophthalmological Society of South Africa has raised concern over the increasing number of people in their 30s and 40s developing Type 2 diabetes, which heightens the risk of cataracts. Society representative Mpopi Lenake said research shows lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays without sunglasses, and poor diets are driving the trend. Separately, renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Helena Ndume echoed […]

24 September, 2025

Africa

Sugar in baby food: why Nestlé needs to be held to account in Africa

By Susan Goldstein, University of the Witwatersrand Nestlé has been criticised for adding sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries. The Swiss food giant controls 20% of the baby-food market, valued at nearly US$70 billion. Nadine Dreyer asked public health academic Susan Goldstein why extra sugar is particularly bad for babies and how multinationals targeting low-income countries with sweeter products […]

25 April, 2024

Health / Medical

South Africa has more than 4 million people living with diabetes – many aren’t getting proper treatment

By Patrick Ngassa Piotie, University of Pretoria Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. In South Africa there has been a notable rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in recent years, due to changing diets. People are consuming more processed foods, sugary drinks and high-calorie meals. Other factors are the lack of physical activity and high levels of […]

7 March, 2024

Africa

Coca-Cola in Africa: a long history full of unexpected twists and turns

By Sara Byala, University of Pennsylvania A new book called Bottled: How Coca-Cola Became African tells the story of how the world’s most famous carbonated drink conquered the continent. It’s a tale of marketing gumption and high politics and is the product of years of research by critical writing lecturer Sara Byala, who researches histories of heritage, sustainability and the ways in which capitalist systems intersect with social and […]

12 January, 2024