The Federal Government has expressed concern over the growing food safety crisis in Nigeria, revealing that unsafe food is responsible for nearly 50 million illnesses and more than 53,000 deaths every year, with children under the age of five bearing the greatest burden.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a ministerial press briefing held to commemorate the 2026 World Food Safety Day, themed “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.”
According to the minister, recent estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that foodborne diseases continue to pose a major public health challenge in Nigeria, causing widespread illness, loss of life, and significant economic consequences.
Salako stated that the country records approximately 50 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually, while over 53,000 deaths are linked to the consumption of contaminated food.
He explained that the impact of these illnesses extends beyond mortality, resulting in an estimated 4.26 million years of healthy life lost each year due to sickness, disability, and premature deaths.
He noted that children under five years old account for more than 80 per cent of the total burden of foodborne diseases in Nigeria, making them the most vulnerable group affected by unsafe food.
The minister further explained that foodborne illnesses not only threaten children’s health but also negatively affect their physical growth, cognitive development, educational outcomes, and future productivity.
Salako identified diarrhoeal diseases caused by contaminated food as the leading contributor to the country’s food safety burden. He revealed that over 40 million diarrhoeal cases recorded annually are associated with foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, and Rotavirus.
He also raised concerns about chemical contamination, particularly lead exposure linked to contaminated grains, spices, and water sources, describing it as an emerging public health threat.
Highlighting government efforts, the minister said Nigeria remains one of the leading countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in detecting, reporting, and responding to outbreaks of foodborne diseases.
He disclosed that the government has strengthened coordination through the National Food Safety Management Committee and implemented the National Integrated Guidelines for Foodborne Disease Surveillance and Response to improve outbreak investigations, laboratory testing, food recalls, and public risk communication.
Salako also announced several measures aimed at promoting healthier diets and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and obesity.
According to him, Nigeria has developed National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction, while the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has finalized draft regulations to limit sodium content in processed foods.
He added that the country is implementing regulations to eliminate industrial trans fats in line with WHO recommendations and is strengthening policies on sugar-sweetened beverages and front-of-pack food labeling to encourage healthier consumer choices.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency reaffirmed its commitment to reducing foodborne diseases through science-based regulation, surveillance, and stronger food control systems.
Represented by the Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Eva Edwards, NAFDAC described food safety as essential to public health, economic growth, and national development.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Kachollom Daju, stressed the need to address food safety and healthy nutrition together.
She warned that increasing cases of microbial contamination and unhealthy dietary practices are contributing to a growing public health challenge and called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, regulators, academia, industry stakeholders, and civil society organizations.
Development partner Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) pledged continued support for Nigeria’s food safety and nutrition programmes, including initiatives focused on sodium reduction, elimination of trans fats, healthy public food procurement, and consumer awareness campaigns.
Officials from the Federal Ministry of Environment emphasized that food safety is a shared responsibility and identified poor sanitation, unsafe water, environmental pollution, climate change, inadequate waste management systems, and unsafe agricultural practices as major factors driving foodborne diseases.
The ministry called for stronger environmental monitoring, improved food hygiene standards, enhanced laboratory capacity, intensified public awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of food safety regulations across the country.
The World Health Organization urged Nigeria to utilize newly available country-specific evidence to strengthen efforts aimed at combating foodborne diseases, describing access to safe food as a fundamental human right and a key pillar of health, nutrition, and economic productivity.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) also highlighted the importance of maintaining standards in safeguarding consumers and boosting confidence in the nation’s food system.
Salako urged media organizations to intensify public education on safe food handling practices and healthy diets, emphasizing that ensuring food safety requires the collective efforts of government, businesses, communities, and individuals.
“Food safety is everyone’s responsibility. It saves lives, strengthens the economy, and protects our children. The figures clearly show that food safety is not optional but a national necessity,” he said.
FG Raises Alarm Over Food Safety Crisis as Unsafe Food Causes 53,000 Deaths Annually
