NAFDAC to Eliminate Trans Fats from Nigeria’s Food Supply By 2030

News in brief:

-NAFDAC has set a new legal threshold of no more than 2 grams of trans fats per 100 grams of oil or fat, aligning Nigeria with global best practices.

-The regulation is expected to save lives, improve public health, and create opportunities for Nigerian farmers and processors to supply healthier oils.

The food Nigerians eat every day may look harmless, but hidden inside some of it are dangerous fats that quietly damage the heart. These are called industrially produced trans fats, and they have been linked to heart disease, strokes, and premature deaths across the world. Globally, more than 278,000 deaths each year are connected to trans fat consumption, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

To protect citizens from this silent killer, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has rolled out a comprehensive national strategy to eliminate trans fats from Nigeria’s food supply chain.

New Standards for Food Manufacturers

At the official launch of the roadmap in Lagos, NAFDAC’s Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, announced that food products in Nigeria will now be legally restricted to no more than 2 grams of trans fats per 100 grams of fat or oil.

She explained that this new regulation, developed under the Fats, Oils and Foods Containing Fats and Oils Regulations 2022, aligns Nigeria with global best practices in food safety.

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

Why Trans Fats are Dangerous

Trans fats are often formed during the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils, a process used by food manufacturers to increase shelf life and cut costs. These fats are commonly found in fried snacks, baked goods, margarine, and some packaged foods.

Health experts warn that consuming too much trans fat increases the risk of dying from heart-related diseases by 28%. “The food we eat can kill us. If you eat well, you will use less medicine,” Prof. Adeyeye cautioned.

recognised

Nigeria is now the second country in Africa, after South Africa, to adopt a best-practice TFA elimination policy. The WHO has recognised Nigeria alongside Egypt, Mexico, the Philippines, and others for taking strong regulatory action.

Mr Pinda Wakawa, representing the WHO Country Office, praised Nigeria’s bold step, describing it as “a significant milestone in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases.”

Support from Global Partners

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Nigeria’s laboratories still face capacity and testing gaps that could slow down enforcement. To bridge these gaps, the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, and global health non-profit Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) have equipped laboratories with modern testing tools and trained staff in WHO’s simplified TFA testing methods.

Nanlop Ogbureke, Executive Director of RTSL, stressed that enforcement is key: “It is one thing to have a regulation; it is another to ensure compliance. We are committed to supporting Nigeria to make TFA a thing of the past.”