Dare Babalola
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has stepped up efforts to curb the growing burden of diet-related illnesses, unveiling plans to regulate sodium levels in pre-packaged foods nationwide.
This was disclosed in a press statement signed by Sayo Akintola, the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, and issued on Tuesday following a stakeholders’ engagement on the proposed Reduction of Sodium in Pre-Packaged Foods Regulations 2026.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, warned Nigerians about the dangers of excessive salt consumption, linking it to the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
She said, “Excessive sodium intake has been identified as one of the leading dietary risk factors contributing to non-communicable diseases, which are on the rise globally and within Nigeria.”
Citing the position of the World Health Organization, Adeyeye noted that sodium reduction remains one of the most effective strategies for improving public health outcomes.
She added, “The WHO continues to emphasise sodium reduction as a cost-effective intervention for preventing premature deaths and improving population health.”
The NAFDAC boss attributed the rising sodium consumption in Nigeria to changing dietary patterns, urbanisation and increased intake of processed and pre-packaged foods.
According to her, “Recognising this emerging public health concern, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and NAFDAC, has taken proactive steps to address the challenge.”
Adeyeye explained that the proposed regulation is a key component of broader efforts to promote healthier diets, noting that it would set sodium limits, improve labelling and encourage food manufacturers to reformulate products.
“The regulation aims to establish maximum sodium limits in selected categories of processed foods, ensure clear labelling, and encourage reformulation so consumers can make healthier choices,” she said.
She, however, stressed that collaboration remains critical to the success of the initiative.
“Regulations alone cannot achieve the desired impact without the active participation of all stakeholders, particularly the food industry, which plays a central role in reformulating products while maintaining quality and safety,” Adeyeye stated.
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 Nigeria.
She revealed that the average daily salt consumption in the country is about 10 grams, which is double the recommended limit by the WHO.
“For adults, the WHO recommends a daily sodium intake of less than 2 grams, equivalent to about 5 grams of salt. However, current consumption levels in Nigeria are approximately 10 grams per day,” she said.
Edwards warned that excessive sodium intake, largely driven by processed and ultra-processed foods, significantly increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease and kidney-related conditions.
She explained that the proposed regulation adopts a phased reduction strategy.
“The regulation incorporates a gradual reduction approach, beginning with a 15 per cent reduction target and progressing towards the national goal aligned with the WHO target of a 30 per cent reduction in sodium intake by 2030,” she added.
The meeting also drew participation from stakeholders across academia and civil society, including experts from the University of Abuja, as well as advocacy groups such as Network for Health Equity and Development and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, who expressed support for the initiative.
Adeyeye emphasised that the regulation is not intended to disrupt the food industry but to build a healthier food system.
“Our goal is not to disrupt industry operations, but to work with all partners to create a food system that supports both public health and a sustainable economy,” she said.
She further described sodium reduction as a national priority, stressing that decisive action would help protect Nigerians from preventable diseases.
“By taking decisive action today, we are protecting future generations and improving the overall wellbeing of Nigerians,” she added.
According to NAFDAC, inputs from stakeholders will be incorporated into the draft before it is presented to the agency’s governing council, after which it will undergo further review by relevant authorities prior to final approval and gazetting.
