Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has highlighted the urgent need for stricter regulations on unhealthy food and alcohol marketing, warning that South Africa is facing a growing crisis of lifestyle diseases.

Speaking at the South African Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into the country’s food system, Motsoaledi emphasized that the nation is transitioning from battling infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis to combating non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer.He criticized commercial interests that profit from products linked to poor health outcomes, including sugary drinks, processed foods, and alcohol.Motsoaledi argued that industries spend billions on advertising these products, undermining public health efforts.

He called for stronger action against 'commercial determinants of health,' including measures like the health promotion levy (sugar tax) and proposed front-of-pack warning labels.

The minister also stressed the importance of addressing malnutrition in children under five, noting that early intervention is critical to prevent long-term health damage.

The discussion underscored the need for coordinated government action across sectors to tackle the complex challenges of unhealthy food environments and health inequities.