NASSAU, Bahamas – July 29, 2025 — In a bold call for dietary reform, former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has proposed legislation to prohibit international fast food chains from operating in the Bahamas’ outlying Family Islands, citing the nation’s mounting health crisis fueled by poor nutrition and lifestyle-related diseases.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on a suite of healthcare reform bills, Minnis warned that skyrocketing obesity rates, particularly among youth, threaten the well-being of future generations. He attributed the alarming trends to the widespread availability of processed and high-fat foods, along with the increasing dominance of fast food outlets in urban centers.
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“We have an obesity crisis, and it is increasingly affecting our young people,” said Minnis. “Our diets are saturated with refined carbohydrates, processed foods, and excessive fats, while lacking fruits and vegetables. The proliferation of fast food restaurants is worsening this national epidemic.”
Minnis, a trained physician, argued that while cities like Nassau and Grand Bahama are already saturated with foreign fast food franchises, the Family Islands — prized for their natural beauty and traditional lifestyle — should be protected from similar influences.
“Nassau is contaminated already. Grand Bahama is contaminated,” he stated. “Let us preserve the Family Islands. If people want food, let it come from our own Bahamian restaurants. Keep the McDonald’s and Burger Kings that made us overweight out.”
He criticized the frequency of fast food consumption, noting that some residents rely on such meals two to three times daily, contributing to widespread cases of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity — conditions he said have become the norm across Bahamian society.
“We are an increasingly unwell people. We are addicted to foods that make us sick,” Minnis said bluntly.
While no draft legislation has been tabled, Minnis’ remarks have reignited national debate over the role of imported fast food in public health and the responsibility of policymakers to protect vulnerable communities. His comments also highlight growing calls for the Bahamas to prioritize locally sourced, nutrient-rich diets and invest in long-term wellness strategies.
If adopted, such a policy would mark a significant shift in the country’s approach to food regulation, economic development in rural areas, and preventive healthcare.
