The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified efforts to tackle diet-related illnesses in Nigeria, unveiling plans to regulate sodium levels in pre-packaged foods across the country.
The move was announced in a press statement issued on Tuesday following a stakeholders’ engagement on the proposed Reduction of Sodium in Pre-Packaged Foods Regulations 2026.
Speaking at the meeting, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, raised concerns over the growing health risks linked to excessive salt consumption, noting that it is a major contributor to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke.
She explained that high sodium intake remains one of the leading dietary risk factors globally and within Nigeria, aligning with the position of the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends sodium reduction as a cost-effective strategy for improving public health and preventing premature deaths.
Adeyeye attributed the rising consumption of sodium in Nigeria to changing lifestyles, urbanisation, and increased reliance on processed and pre-packaged foods.
According to her, the proposed regulation is part of broader government efforts, led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with NAFDAC, to promote healthier dietary habits among Nigerians.
She noted that the regulation will set maximum sodium limits for selected processed foods, improve product labelling, and encourage manufacturers to reformulate their products to support healthier consumer choices.
However, she emphasised that the success of the initiative depends heavily on collaboration with stakeholders, particularly food manufacturers.
“Regulations alone cannot achieve the desired impact without the active participation of all stakeholders, especially the food industry,” she said.
Also speaking, the Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at NAFDAC, Eva Edwards, described non-communicable diseases as a major public health concern in the country.
She revealed that the average daily salt intake in Nigeria is about 10 grams—double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 grams per day for adults.
Edwards warned that excessive sodium consumption, largely driven by processed and ultra-processed foods, significantly increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney-related illnesses.
She explained that the proposed regulation will adopt a phased approach, starting with a 15 per cent reduction in sodium levels and progressing towards a national target aligned with the WHO’s goal of a 30 per cent reduction by 2030.
The stakeholders’ meeting attracted participants from academia and civil society organisations, including representatives from the University of Abuja, the Network for Health Equity and Development, and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, all of whom expressed support for the initiative.
Adeyeye reiterated that the regulation is not intended to disrupt the food industry but to create a healthier and more sustainable food system.
“Our goal is to work with all partners to build a food system that supports public health while sustaining economic growth,” she said.
NAFDAC added that feedback from stakeholders will be incorporated into the draft regulation before it is presented to its governing council and subsequently forwarded for final approval and gazetting.
