On 29th September 2026, KELIN launched a Simplified Public Education and Advocacy version of the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model (KNPM) in Nairobi. The goal of the simplified version is to help make nutrition information more accessible and understandable to stakeholders. The launch brought together stakeholders from the health, nutrition, communications, civil society, youth, women and community sectors to discuss how the KNPM can better support informed food choices and healthier diets.
The launch comes at a time when Kenya continues to face a growing burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While nutrition information is available on many food products, consumers often encounter challenges interpreting and applying that information when making purchasing decisions.
The KNPM is a technical tool that classifies pre-packaged foods and beverages based on nutrient criteria and thresholds. It can support policy measures such as front-of-pack nutrition warning labels, restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods, fiscal measures, public procurement standards and nutrition education initiatives. As stakeholders noted during the launch, the KNPM is an important component of broader efforts to create healthier food environments and prevent diet-related NCDs.
Discussions during the event explored common barriers consumers face when interpreting food labels, including technical language, small print, information placement on packaging and nutrient information presented in formats that are difficult to understand. Participants emphasized that these challenges can limit the ability of consumers to make informed choices about the foods they purchase and consume.
The simplified materials were developed to bridge this gap by translating the technical concepts of the KNPM into clear language, practical examples and user-friendly visuals while maintaining the integrity of the model. Through interactive discussions, participants reflected on how different audiences, including parents, caregivers, community health workers and advocates, engage with nutrition information in their daily lives.
The launch underscored that improving accessibility requires more than simplifying terminology. Communities also need to understand why nutrition information matters and how it relates to policies and decisions that shape their food environments.
Know What You Eat: A Simplified Guide to the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model.pdf
Follow the conversation on KELIN Social Media Pages: @KELINKenya on X, LinkedIn and Instagram.
For more information, please contact:
Martha Ogutu
Health and Governance
P. O. Box 112 – 00202 KNH Nairobi,
Tel: 020, 2515790
E-mail: marthaogutu@kelinkenya.org
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
