The Coalition Against Public Health Risks has called on the Federal Government to urgently address growing concerns regarding potential excessive salt consumption linked to a new food fortification policy.
The coalition voiced its concerns during a press briefing organised by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) in Abuja on Thursday, highlighting the pressing need to review the recently released National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS) report.
The coalition argues that the NFCMS report contradicts existing policies designed to reduce salt intake and prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. This is particularly concerning given the widespread use of bouillon cubes, which are already high in sodium, as a seasoning in many Nigerian households.
The coalition warned that the government’s new policy to fortify foods with micronutrients using bouillon cubes could have unintended and potentially harmful consequences. They expressed alarm over the aggressive promotion of bouillon cubes by industry players and social media influencers, suggesting that this could compromise public health in favour of profit. The group strongly urged an immediate halt to the plans to use bouillon cubes for nutrient fortification, emphasising that this approach does not meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standards and could exacerbate Nigeria’s already significant burden of NCDs.
In addition to calling for a policy review, the coalition advocated for increased collaboration among relevant agencies to ensure that food fortification efforts do not worsen existing health challenges. One of their key recommendations was the implementation of front-of-pack labels (FOPL) on food products. These labels would enable consumers to make more informed choices regarding sodium, sugar, and saturated fats, potentially playing a critical role in reducing sodium intake across the population.
The coalition also demanded stricter regulations on the marketing and promotion of high-sodium foods, especially those targeted at vulnerable groups like schoolchildren. They called for effective nationwide interventions to reduce salt and sodium intake, particularly in light of the rising incidence of hypertension and ‘slump attacks’ across the country.
The coalition urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and other relevant agencies to enforce their mandates and address this critical issue. They also announced plans to engage the National Assembly and other stakeholders to ensure that the food fortification policy aligns with existing public health guidelines.
Executive director of CAPPA, Dr. Akinbode Oluwafemi expressed deep concern over the NFCMS report’s proposal to fortify bouillon cubes with iron and zinc to combat micronutrient deficiencies. He emphasized that despite the widespread consumption of bouillon cubes, their high sodium content fails to meet WHO criteria for food fortification.
Supporting these concerns, technical advisor at the Nigerian Health Education Development (NHED), Dr. Jerome Mafeni questioned why industry players promoting bouillon cubes have not disclosed the scientifically proven negative effects of high salt consumption. Mafeni criticised the deceptive marketing practices and the lack of transparency in research related to food fortification. He called for stricter regulations on high-sodium foods and emphasised the need to strike a balance between public health and profit.
The coalition’s stance underscores the importance of carefully evaluating public health policies to ensure they do not inadvertently contribute to existing health problems. Their call to action serves as a reminder that public health must take precedence over commercial interests in shaping food fortification strategies in Nigeria.
