As the world commemorates World Food Safety Day 2026, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Nigerian government to adopt and implement stronger healthy food policies to curb the growing prevalence of diet-related diseases across the country.
Marking this year’s theme, “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere,” the organisation stressed that food safety should extend beyond concerns about contamination and foodborne illnesses to include protection against excessive consumption of salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, and harmful additives linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Food Safety Beyond Contamination
In a statement issued on Sunday, CAPPA warned that Nigeria is facing a significant public health challenge driven by changing dietary patterns, increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages, and weak regulatory safeguards.
According to the organisation, these factors have contributed to the rising burden of illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, stroke, kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.
“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,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA.
He noted that millions of Nigerians are already living with diet-related illnesses that place enormous strain on families, the healthcare system, and the national economy.
“Moving from burden to solutions requires policies that prioritise public health over commercial interests,” Oluwafemi added.
Support for Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Reform
CAPPA commended the Nigerian Senate for passing a bill aimed at strengthening the country’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax framework, describing the move as a major step toward reducing excessive sugar consumption and protecting public health.
The organisation urged the House of Representatives to quickly complete the legislative process and forward the bill for presidential assent.
“The Senate has demonstrated leadership by recognising that excessive consumption of sugary drinks carries serious health and economic consequences. We urge the House of Representatives to complete the legislative process without delay,” CAPPA stated.
The group argued that international evidence shows taxes on sugary beverages help reduce consumption, encourage manufacturers to reformulate products, and generate additional revenue for public health programmes.
Call for Sodium Reduction and Warning Labels
Beyond taxation, CAPPA renewed its demand for a national sodium reduction target, warning that excessive salt intake remains one of the leading causes of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria.
The organisation also called on regulators to implement Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling (FOPWL) for packaged foods and beverages.
“Nigerians have a right to know when products contain excessive amounts of salt, sugar, or unhealthy fats. Front-of-pack warning labels are simple, effective, and evidence-based tools that empower consumers and encourage manufacturers to improve product formulations,” the statement said.
Protecting Children from Unhealthy Food Marketing
CAPPA further advocated stricter controls on the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children, noting that food and beverage companies increasingly target young audiences through television, digital platforms, influencers, schools, and sporting activities.
“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 organisation said.
Concerns Over Fortification of Ultra-Processed Foods
The advocacy group also expressed opposition to proposals to fortify ultra-processed products, including bouillon cubes with high salt content, warning that such measures could create a misleading perception that unhealthy products are beneficial.
While acknowledging the importance of addressing micronutrient deficiencies, CAPPA maintained that fortification should not be used to mask the health risks associated with products that significantly contribute to excessive sodium intake.
“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 said.
Warning Against Industry Influence
CAPPA cautioned that opposition to healthy food policies often mirrors strategies previously used by the tobacco industry to delay or weaken public health regulations.
According to Oluwafemi, similar tactics are now being employed to resist interventions such as warning labels, sodium reduction targets, restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children, and stronger taxes on sugary drinks.
“Public health policy must be guided by science and the public interest, not by the commercial interests of industries whose profits depend on unhealthy consumption,” he said.
He added that just as tobacco companies were not allowed to shape tobacco control policies, the ultra-processed food industry should not dictate Nigeria’s nutrition agenda.
Call for Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
The organisation called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, lawmakers, consumer groups, and public health advocates to strengthen collaboration in creating healthier food environments.
CAPPA emphasised that food safety should be viewed as a broader public health issue that includes nutrition and disease prevention.
“As we mark World Food Safety Day 2026, we must recognise that safe food is not merely food that is 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,” the organisation stated.
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