FG Targets Schools, Hospitals With New Healthy Food Procurement Rules
With Nigeria battling rising cases of malnutrition, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, the Federal Government is turning its massive food purchasing power into a tool for improving public health.
The Federal Government has launched the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services, aimed at ensuring healthier and more nutritious meals across schools, hospitals, correctional centres, military formations and other public institutions.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, unveiled the guidelines in Abuja, describing them as a major policy shift that will use government procurement to promote healthier diets, prevent diseases and strengthen Nigeria’s food system.
Salako raised concerns over the country’s growing nutrition crisis, noting that about four in every 10 Nigerian children under five are stunted, while nearly two million suffer severe acute malnutrition annually.
He also warned that excessive consumption of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats is contributing to the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes.
According to the minister, the government, as Nigeria’s largest institutional purchaser of food, can influence what producers and suppliers provide by demanding healthier, safer and more nutritious products.
The new guidelines will set standards for balanced diets and limits on sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats in publicly procured food.
Salako, however, stressed that the success of the policy would depend on effective implementation, monitoring and measurable improvements in the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
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