FG introduces new guidelines on salt intake

The federal government has launched the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction to curb the health risks associated with excessive salt intake in Nigeria.  Speaking at the launch on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said the average salt consumption in Nigeria far exceeds the World Health […]

The federal government has launched the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction to curb the health risks associated with excessive salt intake in Nigeria. 

Speaking at the launch on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said the average salt consumption in Nigeria far exceeds the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended limit. 

Represented by Olubunmi Aribeana, Director of Food and Drug Services, Salako noted that urbanisation has increased the intake of processed and packaged foods, worsening the prevalence of hypertension, which affects over 35% of Nigerian adults.

“This guideline establishes clear sodium limits in processed and packaged foods, aligning with global health standards,” he stated.

Dr. Salma Anas Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the President on Health, expressed concern over the 27.5 million Nigerians suffering from hypertension due to excessive salt consumption. Represented by Dr. Sulaiman Lawani, she emphasised that reducing dietary sodium is a cost-effective strategy to combat chronic diseases.

The Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, said effective implementation of the guideline will significantly reduce cardiovascular diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Other health experts, including Joy Amafa-Isaac of Global Health Advocacy Incubator and Dr. Adeolu Adebiyi of the Africa Food Policy Programme, said sodium reduction policies are vital in reversing the growing burden of NCDs.