How Big Food is Hooking Nigerians On Junk And It’s Cost
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
A new report has exposed how major food and beverage corporations are aggressively targeting Nigerians especially children and the poor with junk food that is fuelling a surge in deadly non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
The report titled “Junk on Our Plates” unveiled in Lagos on Wednesday by pan-African NGO Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), uncovers the disturbing tactics used by global brands to entrench ultra-processed, high-sugar, high-salt foods across Nigeria.
From celebrity endorsements to cultural exploitation, the industry is accused of deploying a sophisticated marketing web that exploits weak regulations and deceives consumers with misleading labels all in pursuit of profit.
CAPPA says these tactics are not unlike those once used by Big Tobacco.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the industry is creating an illusion of choice while stripping away people’s right to healthy options.
According to him, they target schools, low-income communities and youth with products that are cheap, and appealing but dangerous.
The report warns that as HFSS (high in fat, salt and sugar) foods dominate the market, natural and indigenous diets are disappearing, and with them, the nation’s health.
To combat the crisis, CAPPA is calling for stricter laws on food marketing, clear front-of-pack warning labels, a drastic increase in the sugar tax from ₦10 to ₦130 per litre, and greater investment in healthy local food systems.
Assistant Director Zikora Ibeh, clarified that “No one is saying shut the corporations down but that government must step in to enforce better standards as Nigerians deserve to know what is on their plates.
The question however, is, will Nigeria rise to the challenge or allow profit to keep trumping public health?
