Nigeria Targets Healthier Diet as NAFDAC, RTSL Work to Eliminate Trans Fats

To eradicate industrially manufactured trans-fatty acids (TFAs) from Nigeria’s food supply chain, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has unveiled a comprehensive national strategy and roadmap.

A legal threshold of no more than 2 grams of trans fats per 100 grams of fat or oil in food products is established by the new regulation, which was created in accordance with the Fats, Oils, and Foods Containing Fats and Oils Regulations 2022.

Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, spoke at the inaugural ceremony in Lagos on Friday and characterized the plan as an unmistakable indication of Nigeria’s dedication to conforming to international best practices in public health nutrition.

“This launch is about reaffirming our national commitment to protecting Nigerians’ health from dangerous yet preventable dietary risks, not just about unveiling a document,” she stated.

One of the main dietary causes of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide, is trans fats, according to Prof. Adeyeye, a professor of pharmaceutical manufacture and medication evaluation.

“We can die from the food we eat.” You will take less medication if you eat healthily,” she emphasized.

According to scientific research, consuming a lot of trans fats raises the risk of dying from heart disease by 28%, she said. The majority of industrial TFAs are produced by partially hydrogenating vegetable oils, a procedure that increases shelf life and lowers costs but has major health hazards.

Consumption of trans fats is responsible for more than 278,000 deaths annually worldwide.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized Nigeria’s policy efforts in 2023 by listing it alongside Egypt, Mexico, Moldova, North Macedonia, the Philippines, and Ukraine as one of seven nations where new best-practice standards for TFA eradication had gone into force.

According to Prof. Adeyeye, WHO validation, enforcement, and full implementation are the next steps.

Mr. Pinda Wakawa, speaking on behalf of WHO Country Representative in Nigeria Walter Mulombo, praised Nigeria’s political determination and strategic leadership in tackling the health concerns associated with TFA.

“Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing public health and lowering the burden of non-communicable diseases has advanced significantly with this milestone,” she said.

After South Africa, Nigeria is now the second nation in the WHO African Region to implement a TFA strategy based on best practices.

“Removing industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is a moral imperative as well as a technical accomplishment,” Ms. Wakawa continued.

In order to guarantee the regulation’s enforcement, the WHO promised ongoing technical assistance, including capacity-building and monitoring systems.

Nigeria’s 2023 TFA ban was a significant public health milestone, but there are still a number of implementation issues, including a lack of standardized testing procedures and insufficient laboratory capacity, according to the global health non-profit Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL).

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, WHO, and RTSL provided assistance to laboratories nationwide by acquiring specialized equipment and educating staff on WHO’s streamlined TFA testing procedures in order to close these gaps.

Nanlop Ogbureke, Executive Director of RTSL, stressed the significance of implementing the new plan during the launch:

Having a policy or regulation is one thing, but making sure it is followed is quite another. In our capacity as RTSL, we are dedicated to helping Nigeria eradicate TFA.

“With cooperation and mutual dedication, we can create a healthier future for our nation, free from the threats of TFA,” she continued.