By Gabriel Ameh
As Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate World Food Safety Day 2026, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called for urgent implementation of stronger healthy food policies to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the country.
CAPPA warned that increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks is exposing millions of Nigerians to serious health conditions including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, stroke, kidney disease and cardiovascular illnesses.
The organisation stressed that food safety should go beyond concerns about contamination and food poisoning, insisting that truly safe food must also protect consumers from excessive sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and harmful additives.
Speaking in a statement to mark this year’s World Food Safety Day themed, “From Burden to Solutions Safe Food Everywhere,” CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, described Nigeria’s changing food environment as a growing public health crisis fueled by weak regulations and aggressive marketing by food corporations.
“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 stated.
He noted that millions of Nigerians are already battling hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and other diet-related illnesses, placing heavy pressure on families, healthcare systems and the economy.
CAPPA commended the Nigerian Senate for passing a bill aimed at strengthening the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax framework, describing the move as a critical step toward reducing excessive sugar consumption and preventing non-communicable diseases.
The organisation urged the House of Representatives to conclude work on the bill and forward it to President Bola Tinubu for assent without delay.
According to CAPPA, evidence from several countries shows that taxes on sugary drinks help reduce consumption, encourage manufacturers to reformulate products and generate revenue for public health interventions.
The advocacy group also renewed calls for a national sodium reduction target, warning that excessive salt intake remains a major contributor to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria.
It further demanded the implementation of Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling (FOPWL) on packaged foods and beverages to help consumers make healthier choices.
“Nigerians have a right to know when products contain excessive amounts of salt, sugar or unhealthy fats,” the organisation stated, adding that front-of-pack warning labels are effective tools that empower consumers and encourage healthier product formulations.
CAPPA also called for stricter restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children, accusing food and beverage companies of targeting young audiences through television, digital platforms, schools, sporting events and social media influencers.
“Children deserve protection from sophisticated marketing practices designed to shape their food preferences and consumption habits. Public health must take precedence over corporate profits,” the statement added.
The organisation equally opposed proposals to fortify ultra-processed products such as high-salt bouillon cubes, warning that fortification should not create a false impression that unhealthy products are beneficial.
“Fortification should never become a public relations shield for unhealthy products. A product does not become healthy simply because vitamins or minerals are added to it,” Oluwafemi stressed.
CAPPA further warned that resistance to healthy food policies in Nigeria mirrors tactics previously used by the tobacco industry to weaken public health regulations.
The group called on 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 (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), lawmakers, consumer groups and health advocates to strengthen collaboration toward creating healthier food environments nationwide.
“As we mark World Food Safety Day 2026, we must recognise that safe food is not merely food free from contamination. Safe food is food that nourishes rather than harms, protects rather than endangers and supports healthy lives rather than fuels preventable diseases,” CAPPA stated.
