A non governmental organisation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has decried the influx of processed foods and seasonings loaded with high sodium, as well as unhealthy fast food outlets in the country
It said these have led to a nutritional transition in the country that poses a grave risk to public health.
He said presently, Nigeria records an estimated daily salt consumption reaching up to 5.8grams per day, dangerously exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit of 2grams of sodium per day or less than 5 grams of salt per day, which is equivalent to just one teaspoon of salt daily.
He said according to the NonCommunicable Diseases Alliance, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease are the primary cause of death and disability worldwide.
Its Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, disclosed this while addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, noted that hypertension, mainly caused by an increased intake of salt or sodium, accounts for 12 per cent of deaths in Nigeria.
He added that these alarming statistics are not surprising given the significant changes in the Nigerian diet over the past decade.
Oluwafemi said: “The influx of processed foods and seasonings loaded with high sodium on local market shelves and the growth of unhealthy fastfood outlets has led to a nutritional transition in the country that poses a grave risk to public health.
“Added to this risk is the recent reports of unbranded and unmeasured seasoning overtaking the markets in Northern Nigeria. In no distant time, the woes of these unchecked sales of Monosodium glutamate will manifest.”
Oluwafemi stressed that in line with their commitment and pact, is to help the public understand the dangers of their choices when it comes to food and to constantly engage with the government to put in place the relevant legislations to protect Nigerians.
He noted that the government must now move at a pace that is faster than those undermining our laws and regulations.
Oluwafemi added: “To protect Nigerians, the Federal Ministry of health and Social Welfare (FMHSW) and National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) must take proactive steps to formulate healthy food policies and enforce them within the country.
“It is also imperative for competent agencies responsible for legislation and implementation of food safety standards in Nigeria to develop effective strategies for the regulation of large food industries, SMEs, and street food vendors, to set mandatory salt limits for all food products in compliance with global best practices.”
Also speaking, Dr. Jerome Mafeni said taking proactive measures to implement regulations on salt targets provides Nigeria with an opportunity to improve the health and well-being of its people.
He noted that the regulations won’t just address the rising challenges of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) but also foster the culture of healthier eating, creating a positive impact on the overall health of the nation.
Mafeni noted that there was need for everyone to make a conscious decision to reduce salt intake in the food.