The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged Nigerians to make reading food labels a habit before buying and consuming packaged foods to support healthier dietary choices and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the advice in Abuja on Friday at the launch of the Read the Food Label Campaign, organised by NAFDAC in collaboration with the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, the World Health Organisation, the University of Abuja and other development partners.
Adeyeye said food labels provide consumers with information on the nutritional content and safety of products, adding that such details should be considered before purchase and consumption.
According to her, the campaign was designed to help consumers understand food labels and make healthier food choices amid the growing burden of diet-related diseases.
She stressed that food labels are not merely regulatory requirements but important public health tools that provide consumers with critical information about the nutritional content and safety of food products.
“Today marks another significant milestone in our collective efforts to protect and promote the health of Nigerians by empowering consumers with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed food choices.
“The ability of consumers to understand, interpret and apply information on food labels has never been more important. Reading food labels should become a shared responsibility. Everyone who purchases food should make it a habit to read food labels before making a purchase,” Adeyeye said.
The NAFDAC boss recalled that her son’s childhood reaction to a food additive inspired her to develop the habit of checking food labels whenever she shops.
“My son reacted to a food additive when he was very young. That experience made me develop the habit of reading food labels because I wanted to ensure my family stayed healthy. Whenever I go shopping, I immediately check the sugar content, sodium level and other nutritional information,” she said.
She warned that excessive consumption of foods high in sugar, salt, saturated fats and trans fats has contributed to rising cases of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and other diet-related illnesses in Nigeria.
She also cited data from the World Health Organisation, stating that non-communicable diseases account for about 29 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases responsible for the largest share.
According to her, the Read the Food Label Campaign is a long-term public health intervention designed to build a culture of reading food labels and using nutritional information to make healthier dietary choices.
Also speaking at the event, the Lead Investigator on Cardiovascular Health at the University of Abuja, Prof. Dike Ojji, said unhealthy diets have become a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases and other chronic illnesses in Nigeria.
According to him, the university has played a leading role in generating research evidence that informed national policies on nutrient profiling and front-of-pack food labelling.
“The University of Abuja has been at the forefront of ensuring proper food labelling in Nigeria. Our research findings have been highly valuable in developing national policies on nutrient profiling and front-of-pack food labelling,” Ojji said, adding that the institution would continue to support efforts aimed at improving public awareness and promoting healthier food choices among Nigerians.
The President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Salisu Maiwada, also pledged the society’s support for the initiative, stating that nutrition professionals across the country would drive awareness campaigns in schools, communities and local government areas.
