NAFDAC Moves to Slash Excessive Salt in Packaged Foods

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced plans to introduce new regulations aimed at reducing excessive sodium levels in pre-packaged foods, as part of efforts to curb the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.

Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement on the draft NAFDAC Reduction of Sodium in Pre-Packaged Foods Regulations 2026. She warned that high sodium consumption remains a major dietary risk factor linked to hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke—conditions increasingly prevalent both globally and in Nigeria.

Adeyeye noted that rapid urbanisation, changing dietary habits, and the growing consumption of processed foods have significantly increased sodium intake among Nigerians. She emphasized that the proposed regulations will establish maximum sodium limits for selected food categories, mandate clear labelling, and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products to healthier standards.

Citing global health guidance, she said the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to promote sodium reduction as a cost-effective strategy to prevent premature deaths from NCDs. “The reduction of sodium in our food supply is not merely a regulatory obligation—it is a national health priority,” she stated.

The NAFDAC boss stressed that the success of the initiative depends on multi-sectoral collaboration, particularly from the food industry, regulators, researchers, and public health advocates. She added that the agency’s goal is to create a healthier food environment without disrupting industry operations.

Also speaking, Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN), Mrs. Eva Edwards, highlighted that NCDs remain a significant public health concern in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for a large share of morbidity and mortality.

She revealed that while the WHO recommends a daily sodium intake of less than 2 grams (equivalent to about 5 grams of salt), average consumption in Nigeria stands at approximately 10 grams per day—double the recommended limit.

Edwards explained that the draft regulations propose a phased sodium reduction strategy, beginning with a 15 per cent reduction target and progressing toward a 30 per cent reduction in line with WHO’s 2030 global target. The policy is designed to gradually guide the food industry toward healthier product formulations without compromising quality or consumer acceptance.

She further noted that pre-packaged foods now constitute a growing portion of daily diets, especially in urban areas, making them a key target for intervention.

The stakeholders’ meeting also featured contributions from public health partners, academia, and civil society organisations, all of whom underscored the urgency of addressing excessive sodium consumption.

NAFDAC stated that inputs from stakeholders will be incorporated into the draft before it is forwarded to the agency’s Governing Council, and subsequently reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Justice prior to gazetting.

The agency reiterated that the initiative forms part of broader national strategies to promote healthy diets and reduce the burden of preventable diseases across the country.