The Ifakara Health Institute, represented by Dr. Sally Mtenga, a Senior Social Scientist, participated in the national validation meeting for the Nutrition Profile Model (NPM) draft, held in Morogoro on 27–28 February 2026 and coordinated by the Ministry of Health (MOH). 

The NPM is a scientific tool that classifies foods based on their nutrient composition and is designed to guide the development of front-of-pack food labeling, promote healthier diets, prevent nutrition-related diseases such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and combat obesity.

The meeting brought together a team of technical experts committed to strengthening nutrition governance in Tanzania. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Health Tanzania and the Ministry of Health Zanzibar, alongside institutions such as the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), the Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (TANCDA), the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), and the National Union of Consumers of Tanzania (NUDEC).

The workshop, supported by TAWLA, provided a platform to review, refine, and validate the draft NPM, ensuring it is scientifically sound, contextually relevant, and practical within Tanzania’s regulatory framework. By supporting tools such as the NPM, the Institute helps foster healthier food environments and safeguard the wellbeing of future generations.

The final version of the NPM is expected to be completed later this year and will be shared with a broader group of stakeholders.