THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of reading food labels before purchasing packaged foods, warning that unhealthy diets are driving the current rise in non-communicable diseases across the country.
Its Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the advice on Friday, June 26, in Abuja, at the launch of the Read the Food Label Campaign, organised by the Agency, in collaboration with the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO), University of Abuja and other development partners.
Adeyeye stated that the campaign was aimed at empowering consumers with the knowledge needed to understand food labels and make healthier food choices amid the growing burden of diet-related illnesses, adding: “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 NAFDAC boss said 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, noting: “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.”
She recounted how a childhood reaction by her son to a food additive inspired her to develop the habit of checking food labels whenever she shops.
Adeyeye explained further: “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 cautioned that excessive consumption of foods high in salt, sugar, saturated fats and trans fats has contributed significantly to the increasing prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
She said data from the WHO showed that non-communicable diseases account for about 29 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases responsible for the largest share, adding: “The ability of consumers to understand, interpret and apply information on food labels has never been more important.” Lead Investigator on Cardiovascular Health at the University of Abuja, Dike Ojji, lamented that unhealthy diets have become a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases and other chronic illnesses in Nigeria.
Ojji said the university has played a leading role in generating research evidence that informed national policies on nutrient profiling and front-of-pack food labeling, noting: “Our research findings have been highly valuable in developing national policies on nutrient profiling and front-of-pack food labeling.”
He assured that the institution would continue to support efforts to improve public awareness and promoting healthier food choices among Nigerians.
On his part, President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Salisu Maiwada, pledged the society’s support for the initiative, with nutrition professionals across the country ready to drive awareness campaigns in schools, communities and local government areas.
Representative of CAPPA, Abayomi Sarumi, described the campaign as a timely intervention that would improve nutrition literacy and encourage consumers to make healthier dietary decisions.
