The federal government has adopted a Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) system aimed at helping Nigerians make healthier food choices and reducing the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) nationwide.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration and inaugural workshop of the National Technical Working Committee on FOPL.
Daju Kachollom, permanent secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, described the adoption of FOPL as a major milestone in the implementation of the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its 2023 implementation plan.
She said the policy would provide Nigerians with clear, easy-to-understand nutrition information at a glance.
“We come together to pool our expertise and give voice to every Nigerian who deserves transparency and trust when choosing what to purchase and serve at their tables,” she said.
Citing rising health risks, she revealed that NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory illness account for nearly 30 percent of all deaths in Nigeria. Among Nigerians aged 30 to 69, the risk of premature death from these diseases is 22 percent.
“These figures represent families burdened by medical costs, anxious parents, and a nation grappling with preventable illnesses,” Kachollom said.
FOPL will use clear symbols, colour codes, and brief texts to help consumers, regardless of literacy level, identify foods high in salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, or other harmful nutrients.
The effort builds on existing regulations, including sodium reduction guidelines introduced in March and trans-fat elimination policies enforced by NAFDAC in 2022.
“Whether its mothers in Kano identifying high salt content, students in Lagos avoiding trans fats, or fathers in Port Harcourt making informed choices, FOPL can save lives and ease pressure on our health system,” she added.
Pindar Wakawa, technical officer for nutrition at the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria, applauded the initiative, noting that addressing NCDs was essential to achieving global health targets under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Overconsumption of unhealthy foods drives obesity, hypertension, and high blood sugar, all key NCD risk factors,” Wakawa said.
He added that WHO’s 2018 country profile showed NCDs accounted for 29 percent of deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases and cancer responsible for 11 percent and 4 percent respectively.
Joy Amafah-Isaac, in-country coordinator for food policy and nutrition at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), said the organisation would support Nigeria’s FOPL rollout with technical guidance and a N500 million fund over six years.
The newly inaugurated National Technical Working Committee is tasked with developing the FOPL policy guidelines, selecting an appropriate labelling model, validating a nutrient profiling system, and aligning the policy with international best practices. Other responsibilities include coordinating consumer education campaigns, stakeholder consultations, and monitoring and evaluation during the pilot phase.
The initiative is expected to transform how Nigerians perceive food safety and nutrition, contributing to a healthier, more informed population.
Food & Wellbeing1 year ago