Press Statement 

For Immediate Release 

23 September 2025

Ahead of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-Being – 25 September 2025

As the world prepares for the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, the Food Justice Coalition is deeply concerned that the current draft of the Political Declaration reflects a diluted commitment to decisive action. While it acknowledges global ambitions to reduce premature deaths and promote mental well-being, it lacks bold, measurable, and enforceable commitments urgently needed to reverse the rising tide of NCDs and diet-related ill-health.

In 2021, NCDs caused an estimated 43 million deaths, many preventable. South Africa and other low and middle-income countries carry the heaviest burden, despite proven, cost-effective, interventions. Yet, the declaration weakens critical language on industry accountability and omits clear fiscal and policy mechanisms to tackle the commercial determinants of NCDs, especially sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), ultra-processed foods, tobacco, and alcohol.

Taxes on harmful commodities are proven tools to reduce consumption and generate revenue for health systems. The latest advocacy report by the NCD Alliance,  a global alliance of organisations committed to fighting the rising tide of NCDs,  shows that financing essential NCD interventions requires at least 1.1–1.7% of gross national income, with up to 54% of costs allocated to essential medicines. Removing or softening commitments on taxation undermines governments’ ability to protect health and achieve financial protection for people living with NCDs.

Weak language signals weak resolve, emboldening powerful industries that profit from disease. The commercial drivers of NCDs, including aggressive marketing, price manipulation, and policy interference, cannot be addressed without binding, measurable fiscal and regulatory commitments.

Call to Action: South Africa and Member States Must Lead

The Food Justice Coalition calls on the Government of South Africa and all UN Member States to:

• Adopt binding regulations to reduce sugar, salt, and harmful chemicals in processed foods, alongside strict monitoring.

• Implement and scale up taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, ultra-processed foods, tobacco, and alcohol, at levels proportional to their health harms.

• Ringfence revenues from these taxes to finance universal access to NCD prevention, essential medicines, and mental health services.

• Enact safeguards against industry interference, including full transparency on political donations and lobbying.

• Mandate independent monitoring of corporate products and marketing, with annual reviews against explicit targets on reducing harmful consumption and NCD mortality.

• Guarantee equitable access to nutritious food, mental health care, and primary health services, prioritising low-income and marginalised communities.

• Centre the voices of people living with NCDs in policy design, implementation, and evaluation.

Conclusion

The Political Declaration cannot be another missed opportunity. A bold and uncompromising stance is needed to confront the structural drivers of ill health, close the financing gap, and protect future generations. South Africa, with its constitutional right to health and progressive public health record is uniquely positioned to champion stronger language and insist on clear fiscal and accountability measures.

The Food Justice Coalition stands ready to work with government, civil society, and global partners to ensure that the UN High-Level Meeting delivers on its promise: a future where every person can exercise their right to health, free from the predatory practices of industries that profit from disease.

[Ends]

Issued by:

The Food Justice Coalition –

The Food Justice Coalition is a values-driven alliance of organisations committed to advancing food justice through collective action, mutual support, and shared leadership. 

For media enquiries please contact:

Zukiswa Zimela | HEALA | zukiswa@heala.org | 074521065