The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has begun a campaign to curb excessive sodium consumption in pre-packaged foods, warning that high salt intake is driving the rise of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, raised the concern on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the draft Reduction of Sodium in Pre-Packaged Foods Regulations 2026.
She described excessive sodium intake as a major contributor to preventable deaths linked to conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke.
Citing guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), Prof. Adeyeye noted that reducing sodium consumption remains one of the most cost-effective strategies for improving public health outcomes and lowering premature mortality rates.
Providing further insight, NAFDAC’s Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Eva Edwards, said Nigerians consume an average of about 10 grams of salt daily, nearly double the WHO’s recommended limit of 5 grams.
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She added that national data indicate sodium intake ranges between 2.85 grams and 10 grams per day, highlighting the urgency for intervention.
Health experts at the meeting warned that excessive sodium intake is closely associated with conditions such as stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure, trends worsened by urbanisation and increased reliance on processed foods.
To address the issue, NAFDAC is proposing new measures that include setting maximum sodium thresholds for selected food categories, mandating clear labelling, and encouraging manufacturers to gradually reduce salt content in their products.
The plan adopts a phased approach, beginning with a 15 percent reduction and aligning with the WHO’s target of a 30 percent reduction in sodium intake by 2030.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasised that effective implementation would require collaboration across the food industry, regulators, and consumer groups to ensure compliance and monitoring.
She described sodium reduction as a national health priority, warning that failure to act could place further strain on the country’s healthcare system.
According to her, stakeholder contributions will be incorporated into the draft regulation before it is forwarded for approval and eventual gazetting.
