The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has issued a warning to Nigerians ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday over increasing salt consumption in their diet.At a news conference in Abuja, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, voiced concerns about the nation's growing non-communicable illness burden, which includes cardiovascular and hypertensive disorders.
He claimed that 12 percent of deaths in Nigeria are related to hypertension, which is primarily brought on by consuming more salt or sodium.
According to Oluwafemi, the nation's growing youth population, who have embraced fast food, processed meals, and seasonings, are already experiencing higher salt intakes.
He stated: "At the moment, Nigeria is estimated to consume up to 5.8 grams of salt per day, which is dangerously higher than the 2 grams of sodium per day or less than 5 grams of salt per day, which is equivalent to just one teaspoon of salt per day, that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, are the leading cause of mortality and disability globally, according to the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance.
"Considering the substantial dietary changes that Nigerians have seen over the previous ten years, these concerning figures are not shocking. A serious nutritional shift that puts the public's health at risk has resulted from the proliferation of harmful fast food restaurants and processed meals and seasonings with excessive sodium content on store shelves.
"Recent reports of unbranded and unmeasured seasoning taking over the markets in Northern Nigeria add to this risk." The consequences of this unrestrained sales of monosodium glutamate will become apparent very soon.
"Our goal, in keeping with our pledge and agreement, is to educate the public about the risks associated with the food choices they make and to work closely with the government to enact the necessary laws to safeguard Nigerians."
The head of CAPPA characterized the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare's decision to sign the approved Food Safety and Quality (FS&Q) policy as a positive move.
He stated that in order to safeguard Nigerians, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW) have to take the initiative to create and implement regulations pertaining to healthy eating.
According to him, it is also essential that capable organizations in charge of enacting laws and carrying out food safety regulations in Nigeria create workable plans for controlling big food businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, and street food vendors. They should also mandate the use of minimal amounts of salt in all food items in accordance with international best practices.
"This will allow room for the advancement of complementary regulations that will remove foods that are harmful to our health, in addition to aiding in the enforcement of current regulations like the #TransfatFreeNigeria regulation," he continued.
As Christmas approaches, a lot of Nigerians would naively bring big amounts of these goods home with them, believing that the government has taken the appropriate action.
Therefore, it is crucial that we urge the government to give mandatory salt targets in Nigeria first priority. In particular, we should call on the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and NAFDAC. If this is accomplished, more Nigerians will consume wholesome food, improving national health for prosperity that benefits all.