Salt, Silent Killer: Stakeholders Rally Behind Tougher Food Regulations In Nigeria
In a country grappling with rising cases of hypertension and heart-related illnesses, a renewed push to cut down salt consumption is gaining momentum as key stakeholders throw their weight behind stronger food regulations.
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has reaffirmed its support for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in its ongoing efforts to introduce sodium reduction regulations aimed at safeguarding public health.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, commended the leadership of NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, describing the agency’s actions as bold and necessary.
He assured that CAPPA would continue to champion advocacy initiatives that strengthen public health, particularly as Nigeria confronts a surge in diet-related non-communicable diseases.
The one-day engagement, convened by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in collaboration with the Network for Health Equity and Development, brought together health experts and policy advocates to deliberate on reducing sodium levels in pre-packaged foods.
In her remarks, Prof. Adeyeye highlighted the growing threat of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, and stroke, noting that excessive sodium intake remains a major contributor.
Adding urgency to the discussion, NHED’s Technical Advisor, Jerome Mafeni, warned that younger Nigerians are increasingly being affected, raising concerns about the country’s future health burden.
The move aligns with the 2025 National Sodium Reduction Guideline introduced by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which seeks to limit daily sodium intake to below 2 grams per person by 2030 and reduce hypertension prevalence by 25 per cent.
Global partners, including the World Health Organisation, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, and Resolve to Save Lives, described the initiative as timely, urging sustained action to curb preventable diseases linked to unhealthy diets.
As Nigeria takes steps towards stricter food regulations, health advocates say reducing salt intake could prove to be one of the simplest yet most effective strategies in saving lives.
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