- NAFDAC has urged Nigerians to read food labels before buying packaged foods
- It warned that unhealthy diets are increasing diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease
- The campaign aims to promote healthier eating and better nutrition choices
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has advised Nigerians to routinely check food labels before buying packaged products, stressing that poor dietary choices are fueling the rise of non-communicable diseases in the country.
Eko Hot Blog reports that she gave the warning in Abuja on Friday during the launch of the “Read the Food Label Campaign,” an initiative by NAFDAC in partnership with CAPPA, the World Health Organization, the University of Abuja and other stakeholders aimed at improving public awareness on healthy eating.
Adeyeye said food labels are essential health guides that help consumers understand what they are eating and make safer nutritional decisions.
She urged Nigerians to adopt label-reading as a daily habit, noting that awareness of sugar, salt, fat and other ingredients can prevent long-term health risks.
The NAFDAC boss revealed that her personal commitment to checking food labels began after her son once suffered a reaction to a food additive, prompting her to become more conscious of nutritional content while shopping.
She also warned that excessive intake of processed foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats is driving cases of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases across the country.
Citing World Health Organization figures, she noted that non-communicable diseases are responsible for a significant portion of deaths in Nigeria, with heart-related conditions among the leading causes.
According to her, the campaign is designed as a long-term effort to build healthier eating habits and improve nutrition awareness among consumers.
At the event, Prof. Dike Ojji of the University of Abuja said research has shown a strong link between unhealthy diets and rising cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria, adding that the institution has contributed to national policies on food labelling.
The President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Salisu Maiwada, also pledged nationwide support for the campaign, saying nutrition experts will extend awareness efforts to schools and communities across the country.
CAPPA representative, Abayomi Sarumi, described the initiative as an important step toward improving nutrition education and helping consumers make informed food choices.
Health experts continue to warn that increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods is worsening Nigeria’s burden of lifestyle diseases, calling for stronger public education and clearer food labelling standards.
