Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville speaks in the House of Assembly on March 26, 2025. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
WITH 71 percent of Bahamian adults overweight, the Davis administration tabled a bill aimed at curbing non-communicable diseases through tougher food regulations and the option to tax unhealthy products — though Health Minister Dr Michael Darville stressed the government has no plans to impose such taxes.
After tabling the Health Promotion and Wellness Bill 2025 in the House of Assembly, Dr Darville emphasised to The Tribune that the bill gives the government options to restrict harmful food imports.
“What is happening is all these things are put in place because there will come a time, we believe with certain types of foods coming into the country that are quite detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the Bahamian people, we may have to leverage different avenues to address keeping them out of the country, but the reality as far as taxation on products at this time, that is not the intent of the government,” he said.
The Health Promotion and Wellness Bill empowers the Minister of Health and Wellness to develop a national plan encouraging healthier lifestyles, analysing national health data, and addressing the social factors that influence public health.
It also gives the minister the authority to regulate unhealthy food products. This includes banning or restricting harmful items, enforcing stricter labelling on ultra-processed foods, and limiting the importation of substandard products.
While the bill allows for taxing unhealthy foods and beverage — subject to consultations with the Minister of Finance — Dr Michael Darville has indicated such measures are not currently being considered.
Previous amendments to the Tariff Act already permit the government to impose taxes on certain foods, but no such action has yet been taken.
Still, Dr Darville called the bill a “critical piece of legislation,” emphasising the need for policies that promote healthier living. He linked the country’s high rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to poor habits such as unhealthy eating, alcohol use, smoking, and physical inactivity.
He said these conditions are overwhelming the healthcare system, noting that national data show 40 percent of teenagers and 71.6 percent of adults in The Bahamas are overweight.
“We are fully aware of the need for continuous action in the area of public health,” Dr Darville said. “This bill empowers us to work with the public to help them understand the importance of reading food labels carefully, spotting harmful additives like excess salt, sugar, colourants, and preservatives, so that we can make healthier, more informed decisions about what we eat.”
He said the legislation is critical, pointing to the upcoming five percent VAT reduction on unprepared foods and upgrades to primary healthcare facilities.
“It is designed to change the way we approach health and wellness in The Bahamas,” the minister added. “By focusing on prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles, we are aiming to tackle risk factors and decrease the number of our friends, co-workers and relatives who are battling NCDs and the serious medical complications associated with diseases brought on by lifestyles choices.”
Under the bill, the minister must consult relevant government officials and conduct public health education campaigns before implementing any policies.
The government will also work with NGOs, the private sector, and healthcare providers to roll out workplace wellness and community engagement programmes.
The minister may establish additional bodies to support health and wellness initiatives and enact regulations to promote healthier nutrition environments, including guidelines for newborn and infant feeding.
A key feature of the bill is the creation of a National Food and Nutrition Commission. This five-member body — comprising public health and agricultural experts, nutritionists, and food scientists — will monitor food policies, advise the government, coordinate policy support mechanisms, and ensure compliance with health regulations.
The commission will recommend policies that improve access to affordable, healthy foods and may form expert committees to address specific issues. It will also have the authority to require organisations to submit relevant information or records for monitoring purposes and to designate officers to enforce compliance with the law.
Commission members will serve three-year terms and may be reappointed.
The bill clarifies that it does not override the authority of other key officials, including the Director of Food Safety and Quality and the Director of Standards.
Dr Darville said he looked forward to debate on the bill, calling its passage a historic step for the health and wellness of Bahamians.
Comments
ohdrap4 3 days, 16 hours ago
I understand. This is like the FOIA.
Phew, I can continue to drink my koolaid.
ExposedU2C 3 days, 13 hours ago
What a load of malarkey!
The root cause for most Bahamians being unhealthy today is decades of failed social and economic policies by PLP and FNM governments alike. D- educated Bahamians are the victims of a public education system deliberately dumbed-down by our corrupt and incompetent political leaders.
Our crooked politicians have always feared more than anything else, well-educated and discerning voters with critical thinking skills that make them much less vulnerable to manipulation come election time. As a result, too many Bahamians are unable to find decent paying jobs in an economy made vulnerable to unchecked government abuse, waste, and fraud, of the kind that tends to reward only the politically favoured wealthy few.
Healthy foods, like un-canned meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, etc., which are much costlier because they are perishable and have a short storage/shelf life, are therefore unaffordable for way too many Bahamians. And this has been the case for many years now. Our nation should at least have well established, bountiful and very affordable fresh produce markets and fresh fish markets on most of the more populated islands. The fact that we don't have these is a testament to the failed social and economic policies by corrupt and incompetent PLP and FNM governments alike.
And to think this most corrupt and incompetent Davis led PLP government is more interested in bad policies aimed at more Bahamians becoming obese alcoholics, gamblers and pot-heads. Go figure!
Porcupine 3 days, 6 hours ago
You are correct. Darville is a shady politician. Words mean nothing to these people. Education is the answer to most of our social problems. But, if we had a moderately educated populace would we continue to put up with the likes of a Darville? Of course not. Our food sucks, just like our politicians. They go hand in hand.
One 3 days, 12 hours ago
Increasing taxes/price of food won't make people healthy.
bogart 3 days, 12 hours ago
Whether the taxes are increased, reduced, postponed and at any variation and combination in the present, or near future, or in the past history, has gotten no reduction in the unhealthy people.
The country's Chief Minister of Health has been politicians who have been Medical qualified Doctors for --- decades --- and decades --- and decades --- leading to this disastrous situation. And just look at the increasing numbers of our highly visible fellow Bahamians on the streets in all states of distress needing the most attention who just ain't have no food, those who looking in garbage bins for food and those with mental distress pleading for help.
DonAnthony 3 days, 11 hours ago
These politicians have no spine, worse than a jellyfish. We need a tax on sodas and fast food in this country now! Consumption of these harmful products will fall while at the same time generating much needed government revenues to pay for the consequences of these ultra processed foods. Why should the profits from these harmful products be privatized while the cost to treat these chronic preventable diseases that they spawn be socialized (placed on the Bahamian taxpayer)?
Porcupine 3 days, 6 hours ago
Try education. The only thing that improves a populace. Try some yourself Don. Quit your tax nonsense. That is proof positive of ignorance.
DonAnthony 2 days, 15 hours ago
You want your fast food left alone😀? Big part of the problem.
ExposedU2C 3 days, 10 hours ago
And stop giving out licenses for fast food establishments. Most Bahamians were slim and trim before fast food was allowed to be introduced to our country by Sir Poodling in the late sixties, early seventies.
Darville really sounds stupid whenever he is minded to talk (just talk) about what the PLP government plans to do to fix our nation's obesity crisis. Nothing ever gets done to meanigfully address the problem. All talk and no do!
bogart 3 days, 10 hours ago
All talk and no do.
Actually, the former FNM Minister of Health did make an effort in banning the suggary soda drinks from the Vending machines in the PMH, but true to form as governments change --- bingo ---the vending machines have suggary sodas again.
Quite likely where there are Vending dispensing machines in any government buildings areas are likely to be suggary sodas in the vending machines.
Craig 3 days, 8 hours ago
I suggest they put a 25% VAT on fast food, 20% VAT on soda and junk food and no VAT on fruits vegetables.
bahamianson 3 days, 6 hours ago
Government looses our money , then increase or create taxes to cover up their mistakes. Where is our 7 million dollars?
bahamianson 3 days, 6 hours ago
How about the new sugar factory on Bay Street or the sugar laden international house of pancakes. Can we say sugar , sugar , sugar! Dang , now Diabetes will be an even bigger problem. The kool fellas like their beer in the left hand and their cigar in the right hand and the Red Bull mixed in the beer. They then wonder why did they die of a heart attack before the age of 40 . Who will work for us if the 26 year old has 6 children and is off for 6 years per child and the boys are dying before the age of 40 ?
realfreethinker 2 days, 18 hours ago
When is Darville going to have the PHA pay their outstanding bills to Bahamian vendors. Stress kills and those vendors are really stressed. He can improve health that way
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