NAFDAC Unveils National Roadmap to Eliminate Trans Fats from Nigeria’s Food Supply

Nigeria has taken a bold step toward safeguarding public health with the launch of a national strategy to eliminate industrially produced trans-fatty acids (TFAs) from its food chain.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) rolled out the roadmap in Lagos on Friday, setting strict limits in line with the Fats, Oils and Foods Containing Fats and Oils Regulations 2022. Under the regulation, no food product may contain more than two grams of trans fats per 100 grams of fat or oil.

NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, hailed the initiative as a milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to global best practices on nutrition and disease prevention.

“The food we eat can kill us. If you eat well, you will use less medicine,” she said, stressing that trans fats are among the leading dietary contributors to cardiovascular disease — the world’s top cause of death.

Research shows that high trans fat consumption raises the risk of heart disease-related deaths by 28%. Globally, more than 278,000 deaths each year are linked to their intake, mostly from foods made with partially hydrogenated oils.

Nigeria Joins Global Leaders in TFA Elimination

In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed Nigeria among just seven countries — including Egypt, Mexico and Ukraine — to adopt best-practice trans fat regulations. With this roadmap, Nigeria now becomes the second country in the WHO African Region, after South Africa, to implement a best-practice policy.

WHO representative Pinda Wakawa praised the move, calling it a “moral imperative” and a significant stride in tackling non-communicable diseases.

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), a global health non-profit, also pledged support to overcome challenges such as limited laboratory capacity and the need for standardised testing protocols. Specialised equipment and training have already been deployed in Nigerian laboratories.

RTSL’s Executive Director, Nanlop Ogbureke, emphasised enforcement as the next crucial phase:

“It is one thing to have a policy or regulation, it is another to ensure its enforcement. Together, through collaboration and shared commitment, we can build a healthier future for our country — one free of the dangers of TFA.”

The roadmap’s success, experts say, will depend on strict monitoring, industry compliance, and public awareness to ensure Nigeria’s food supply becomes safer and healthier.