By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AS food consumption and safety remain major focus of public health, and in the quest to safeguard the lives of Nigerians the Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Wednesday, launched the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction for Food Handlers’ Medical Test in the country.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, represented by the Director, Food and Drug Service Department, FMHSW, Olubunmi Aribeana, described the launch as a significant milestone.

According to Salako, the initiative forma a cohesive framework that directly supports the implementation of the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its Implementation Plan, 2023, and that by addressing both individual health awareness and systemic food safety standards, the Ministry is fostering a unified approach to achieving safer, healthier, and more reliable food practices across the nation.

He said: “As we not only launched the Sodium Reduction Guideline but also unveil the National Guideline for Food Handlers’ Medical Test on the theme: ‘Let Your Health Guide Your Taste’.

“The document before us is the first of its kind on the Continent of Africa -a living manifesto for change-one that harmonizes global recommendations with the local context, detailing a series of ambitious yet practical measures, she said.

“We have established clear limits for sodium content in processed and packaged foods, guided by scientific evidence and aligned with global best practices with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Our comprehensive strategy also harnesses the power of mass media, social media, and community outreach to elevate awareness about the health risks of excess sodium consumption and promote informed dietary practices.

“In robust evaluation and monitoring mechanisms, minister emphasizing data-driven action, the guideline supports continuous national surveillance and evaluation, ensuring that our efforts remain adaptable and impactful in reducing sodium levels.

“This Guideline is a product of rigorous research conducted by the Nigeria Sodium Study Team based at the University of Abuja, in tandem with the dedicated work of the National Technical Working Group on Sodium Reduction and our partners. Their contributions, alongside insights from both the public and private sectors, have enriched this guideline, making it a robust instrument of public policy.”

He also expressed concern on how this changes have created new challenges to in the nation’s healthcare landscape and necessitated “bold public health initiatives to safeguard our communities against silent threats one of which is the elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases linked to high sodium consumption.

“Research has shown that the average salt intake in Nigeria far exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of five grams per day, with many communities consuming between seven and nine grams daily”, he said.

Therefore, the Minister of State warned that, “This excessive overconsumption of sodium is directly tied to the alarming rise in hypertension, now affecting over 35 per cent of adults in our population. The situation is exacerbated in urban areas, where dining habits lean heavily towards saltier prepared meals, unconsciously risking our lives with dietary habits that could lead to devastating, long-term health.

“These figures are not mere statistics; they are a clarion call for accelerated efforts, rigorous monitoring, and creative strategies. Our guideline serves as a blueprint for action and a beacon of hope amid these challenges.”

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, highlighted that excessive sodium consumption has been closely linked to the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke.

“These successful implementation of these guidelines cannot be achieved in isolation. It will require the active collaboration of all stakeholders present here today-government agencies, health professionals, the food industry, civil society, and the general public. Together, we can create an enabling environment that supports healthier choices, promotes safe practices, and strengthens the fabric of our communities”, Kachollom said.

In a remark, the Executive Director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi, commended the Ministry for the launch of the National Guideline on Sodium Reduction in Nigeria.

“On behalf of the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) , I congratulate the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the launch of the National Guideline on Sodium Reduction in Nigeria.

“Today marks another major milestone in safeguarding public health in Nigeria through the promotion of heathy diet.

“We strongly believe that effective implementation of this guideline will help in no small measure in reducing excessive sodium intake and reduce cases of Cardiovascular Diseases and Non communicable Diseases in Nigeria.

“We remain committed to our partnership with the ministry and its agencies in promoting polices to enhance positive health outcomes.”