World Food Safety Day: CAPPA Urges Government to Strengthen Healthy Food Policies

 CAPPA's Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi

As the world commemorates World Food Safety Day 2026, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Nigerian government to adopt stronger healthy food policies to address the growing burden of diet-related diseases across the country.

In a statement marking the observance themed "From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere," CAPPA argued that food safety should extend beyond protection against contamination and foodborne illnesses to include safeguards against excessive levels of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and harmful additives linked to non-communicable diseases.

The organisation warned that Nigeria is facing a worsening public health challenge driven by increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages, coupled with what it described as weak regulatory measures that leave consumers vulnerable to unhealthy products.

According to CAPPA's Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, millions of Nigerians are living with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and other diet-related illnesses that continue to place significant pressure on households and the healthcare system.

He said addressing the crisis requires policies that prioritise public health over commercial interests and create healthier food environments for consumers.

The organisation commended the Nigerian Senate for passing a bill aimed at reforming the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax framework and urged the House of Representatives to expedite legislative action and transmit the bill to the President for assent.

CAPPA described the proposed reforms as an important step towards reducing excessive sugar consumption and preventing non-communicable diseases, noting that evidence from several countries shows that taxes on sugary drinks can reduce consumption, encourage product reformulation and generate revenue for health programmes.

The group also renewed its call for the adoption of a national sodium reduction target, warning that excessive salt intake remains a major contributor to hypertension and cardiovascular disease in Nigeria.

In addition, CAPPA advocated the implementation of Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling on packaged foods and beverages, arguing that clear warning labels would help consumers make informed dietary choices while encouraging manufacturers to improve product formulations.

The organisation further called for stricter regulations on the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children, expressing concern over the growing use of television, digital platforms, schools and sporting events to promote unhealthy products to young audiences.

CAPPA also opposed proposals to fortify highly processed food products such as bouillon cubes with vitamins and minerals while maintaining high salt content, warning that fortification should not be used to create the impression that unhealthy products are beneficial to consumers.

According to the organisation, public health policies should be guided by independent scientific evidence rather than commercial interests.

CAPPA argued that resistance to healthy food regulations often mirrors tactics historically used by the tobacco industry to delay or weaken public health interventions, including questioning scientific evidence and promoting voluntary measures instead of binding regulations.

The organisation therefore urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, lawmakers, consumer groups and public health advocates to strengthen collaboration in creating healthier food environments.

CAPPA maintained that safe food should not only be free from contamination but should also promote good health, prevent disease and support the overall well-being of Nigerians.