Health
Adopt stricter food regulations to curb NCDs, CAPPA urges FG
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa has warned that Nigeria is facing a growing public health crisis driven by unhealthy diets, urging the Federal Government to adopt stricter food regulations to stem the rising burden of non-communicable diseases across the country.
Marking the 2026 World Food Safety Day on Monday, CAPPA said millions of Nigerians are increasingly exposed to health risks associated with excessive consumption of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and ultra-processed foods, stressing that food safety must go beyond concerns about contamination and foodborne illnesses.
The organisation warned that weak regulatory safeguards and aggressive marketing of unhealthy products are contributing to rising cases of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, stroke, kidney disease and certain cancers.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere,” CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said food safety should include protection against products that gradually damage consumers’ health.
“Food safety is not only about preventing food poisoning. It is also about ensuring that the foods and drinks available to Nigerians do not slowly undermine their health and wellbeing,” Oluwafemi said.
He noted that diet-related diseases are exacting a heavy toll on families and the healthcare system, while also posing significant economic consequences for the country.
According to him, meaningful progress will require governments to prioritise public health over commercial interests and implement evidence-based policies aimed at creating healthier food environments.
In a major push for regulatory reforms, CAPPA welcomed the recent passage by the Senate of a bill seeking to strengthen Nigeria’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverage tax regime, describing the move as a critical intervention in the fight against excessive sugar consumption and non-communicable diseases.
The organisation called on the House of Representatives to fast-track consideration of the legislation and transmit it to the President for assent.
CAPPA argued that evidence from several countries has shown that taxes on sugary drinks reduce consumption, encourage manufacturers to reformulate products and provide additional resources for healthcare investments.
Beyond sugar taxation, the group renewed calls for a national sodium reduction target, warning that excessive salt intake remains a leading risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria.
It also advocated the introduction of Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling on packaged foods and beverages, saying clearer nutritional information would empower consumers to make informed choices while encouraging manufacturers to improve product composition.
The advocacy group further demanded stricter controls on the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children, accusing food and beverage companies of increasingly targeting young audiences through schools, sporting events, social media influencers, television and digital platforms.
According to CAPPA, children should be protected from marketing practices designed to shape unhealthy dietary preferences from an early age.
The organisation also cautioned against proposals to fortify ultra-processed products such as high-salt bouillon cubes, arguing that fortification should not be used to portray unhealthy products as beneficial simply because vitamins or minerals have been added.
Drawing parallels with the tobacco industry’s historical resistance to regulation, CAPPA alleged that opposition to measures such as warning labels, sodium reduction targets, restrictions on child-focused advertising and stronger sugar taxes mirrors tactics previously used to delay tobacco control policies.
“Public health policies must be guided by science and the public interest, not by industries whose profitability depends on unhealthy consumption patterns,” Oluwafemi said.
The organisation urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, lawmakers and civil society groups to strengthen collaboration toward building healthier food systems.
CAPPA maintained that truly safe food should not only be free from contamination but should also protect consumers from preventable diseases and support long-term wellbeing.
World Food Safety Day is observed annually to raise awareness and promote actions that prevent, detect and manage food-related risks. The 2026 edition marks the eighth global observance of the event.
While food safety discussions have traditionally focused on microbial contamination and foodborne outbreaks, public health experts are increasingly drawing attention to the role of unhealthy diets in driving non-communicable diseases, which account for a growing share of deaths worldwide.
According to the World Health Organisation, foodborne diseases affect hundreds of millions of people annually, while unhealthy diets are among the leading risk factors for premature deaths globally.
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