CAPPA trains journalists on salt reduction, front-of-pack labelling to tackle Nigeria’s health crisis

Stanley Ihedigbo

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on journalists to play a more active role in promoting healthy food policies as part of efforts to combat the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

Speaking at a journalism training on salt reduction and Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) in Nigeria, CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, emphasised the crucial role of the media in shaping public understanding and influencing policy decisions on nutrition and public health.

Oluwafemi described an ongoing “silent struggle” for control of Nigeria’s food system, noting that corporate interests often prioritise profit over public health, while citizens depend on government regulations and policies to protect their wellbeing.

According to him, the outcome of this struggle will determine the dietary patterns of millions of Nigerians and the long-term health outcomes of future generations.

He stressed that the media sits at the centre of this battle, noting that how journalists report, frame, and interrogate food and health issues can significantly influence public health policies.

He noted that the training, supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), focused on key areas including sodium reduction, front-of-pack labelling, and nutrient profile models.

It also highlighted the marketing and lobbying tactics allegedly used by segments of the food and beverage industry to promote ultra-processed foods high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

Oluwafemi warned that the growing consumption of such products is contributing to the rise in non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers, which account for about 29 per cent of deaths in Nigeria.

He added that these diseases are placing increasing pressure on families and the country’s already strained healthcare system.

The CAPPA Executive Director said the training was designed to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools needed to report effectively on nutrition-related policies and monitor industry interference that could undermine public health regulations.

He encouraged journalists to use their platforms to drive conversations that can lead to stronger health policies and better protection for Nigerians.

Oluwafemi expressed appreciation to participants and urged them to maximise the training opportunity, describing it as a step toward building a healthier nation through informed and responsible journalism.

Among the guest speakers, Public Health Consultant/General Physician, Dr. Joseph Ekiyor, who speaks on ‘Unhealthy diets & the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria’, raised concerns over the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria, linking the trend to unhealthy diets, increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and changing lifestyle patterns.

He described NCDs as chronic conditions that are not transmissible from person to person but require long-term treatment, repeated hospital visits, and specialised care.

He noted that diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and some cancers are increasingly becoming major public health concerns in Nigeria.

According to him, NCDs represent a global health threat, not only because of the high rate of deaths and disabilities they cause, but also because they push individuals and families into poverty due to long-term treatment costs and loss of productivity.

Ekiyor explained the role of transnational food companies and aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, especially to children and young people, in shaping unhealthy eating habits.

He further explained that research shows eating patterns and taste preferences developed in early childhood often persist into adulthood, making young people a key target for food and beverage advertising.

Sugar-sweetened beverages, he said, include soft drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sweetened local beverages such as zobo and kunu when sugar is added, and other products containing added sugars.

The Medical Doctor also pointed to lifestyle changes, including rapid urbanisation, poorly planned cities with limited spaces for physical activity, and increased shift to sedentary jobs, as contributing factors to rising NCD cases.

Providing data on disease trends, he noted that hypertension prevalence in Nigeria has increased significantly over the years, rising from about 8.6 per cent in 1995 to over 30 per cent in recent years.

Similarly, Type 2 diabetes prevalence has increased from about two per cent to between five and seven per cent over 25 years.

He added that obesity rates are rising, with sugar-sweetened beverage consumption strongly linked to weight gain, while dental health issues such as dental caries have also been associated with high sugar intake.

The expert warned that beyond health effects, NCDs have serious economic consequences, including reduced workforce productivity, lower national output, and increased healthcare expenditure.

He further noted that Nigeria’s health system, already struggling with infectious diseases, faces significant challenges in addressing the rising NCD burden.

Ekiyor emphasised the need for population-wide interventions, including public education, behavioural change communication, taxation on unhealthy foods and drinks, mandatory product reformulation, and subsidies to make healthier food options more affordable.

On healthy diet recommendations, he said free sugar intake should be less than 10 per cent of total energy consumption, salt intake should be below five grams per day, while individuals should consume at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables daily, alongside whole grains and unprocessed foods.

He stressed that tackling NCDs requires coordinated action from government, health agencies, the food industry, and the public to promote healthier dietary choices and protect future generations.

Programme Officer, Cardiovascular Health, CAPPA, Ms. Bukola Olukemi Odele, who speaks on “Salt target, Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL), as policy tools for combating Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) burden’, explained that the strong link between unhealthy diets and the increasing prevalence of diseases such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases across Nigeria.

According to her, NCDs account for about 29 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases responsible for about 11 per cent.

“The burden is further worsened by rising obesity rates, with about 27 per cent of Nigerian adults classified as overweight or obese, while childhood obesity is rising in several urban centres.

She warned that contrary to previous beliefs, NCDs are no longer diseases associated mainly with the wealthy, as they are increasingly affecting low-income households.

Food Safety Technical Lead, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Femi Stephen, who speaks on ‘ Overview of the national sodium reduction guidelines,’ noted that Nigeria has taken a major step toward tackling the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with the introduction of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines, a policy framework aimed at reducing excessive salt consumption and improving public health outcomes.

“The new guidelines form part of broader national efforts to curb lifestyle-related diseases, which are increasingly placing pressure on the country’s health system and economy. Excess sodium intake remains a major public health challenge globally and in Nigeria. High salt consumption is strongly linked to hypertension, a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. These diseases contribute significantly to hospital admissions, long-term treatment costs, and the demand for lifelong medication. They also reduce productivity through illness, disability, and premature deaths.

“In Nigeria, available data indicate that sodium consumption is significantly above safe levels. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends less than two grams of sodium per day. However, Nigeria’s average intake is estimated at 3.9 grams daily, nearly double the recommended limit, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated national action,” he explained.

He noted that reducing sodium intake can significantly lower blood pressure levels across populations, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improving life expectancy.

“The National Sodium Reduction Guidelines are expected to provide direction for food manufacturers, health professionals, policymakers, and consumers. The framework is likely to promote reformulation of processed foods, clearer food labelling, public awareness campaigns, and improved monitoring of sodium levels in foods sold across the country.

“Health authorities believe that successful implementation of the guidelines could significantly reduce the prevalence of hypertension and other NCDs, ease pressure on healthcare facilities, and improve overall national productivity,” he stated.

Speaking on FOPL research and design, the pathway to a people-driven FOPL policy, Technical Advisor, Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Dr. Jerome Mafeni, emphasised the need for food labelling policies that empower consumers to make informed dietary decisions.

Mafeni noted that many Nigerians regularly consume fast foods and packaged food products without fully understanding their nutritional content.

He explained that pre-packaged foods often contain higher levels of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which enhance taste, texture, and appearance but pose long-term health risks when consumed excessively.

According to him, the modern food industry invests heavily in making food visually attractive and enjoyable, which can influence consumer choices.

However, he stressed that public health protection requires multiple strategies, with clear and effective front-of-pack labelling standing out as a key intervention.

He explained that FOPL provides nutrition information directly on the front of food packaging in a simple, visible, and easy-to-interpret format, enabling consumers to make quick and informed purchasing decisions.

“Consumers should not have to struggle to interpret tiny, complex nutrition information on the back of food packs. The information should be readily visible and easy to understand at a glance,” he said.

Mafeni added that FOPL is designed not only to guide consumers but also to encourage food manufacturers to reformulate products by reducing excessive salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats to avoid negative label warnings.

He further explained that effective FOPL systems use simple symbols, warning icons, or colour-coded indicators to highlight high levels of critical nutrients such as sodium, sugar, and saturated fats.

He noted that Nigeria is experiencing a steady rise in NCDs, including hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease, partly driven by increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods.

He stressed that people-driven FOPL policies place consumers at the centre of food regulation by ensuring transparency, improving awareness, and supporting healthier dietary behaviours.

Mafeni concluded that building a food system that prioritises public health requires collaboration among policymakers, health professionals, civil society groups, and the food industry.

He further stressed that making nutrition information visible and understandable is a critical step toward reducing diet-related diseases and improving long-term health outcomes for Nigerians.

Also speaking on the topic “Monitoring and Countering Industry Interference in Food Policy – Where to Look, How to Look, and Tools for Looking,” CAPPA Industry Monitoring Officer, Mr. Humphrey Ukeaja, stressed the importance of systematically tracking the activities of food companies, their allies, and lobbying networks within Nigeria’s policy and regulatory space.

Industry monitoring, according to him, involves actively documenting the influence of food corporations across government policy, legislation, and regulatory processes.

“It also includes analysing marketing strategies, product promotions, and digital campaigns used to shape consumer behaviour and public perception,” he explained.

He further explained that monitoring is critical because aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats has been linked to growing rates of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart conditions.

Speaking on “Media strategies for promoting healthy food policies and industry monitoring,” Media and Communications Officer of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Mr. Robert Egbe, said journalists must recognise healthy food policy as a cross-cutting issue that spans multiple reporting beats.

Egbe noted that healthy food policy stories should not be confined to health reporting alone but should also be covered under news, business, politics, investigations, and accountability journalism.

According to him, food policy decisions directly affect public health outcomes, economic productivity, governance quality, and social welfare.

He stressed that the media can significantly shape public understanding of food policies by reframing stories around issues that directly impact citizens’ daily lives.

Using children’s rights as an example, Egbe explained that journalists can highlight how policy gaps expose children to unhealthy diets, increasing their lifetime risk of NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

He added that stories linking poor diet to rising healthcare costs can help the public understand the economic consequences of weak food regulations.

Egbe also urged journalists to interrogate governance failures, particularly delays in implementing policies such as mandatory Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL), which helps consumers easily identify foods high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

On countering food industry narratives, Egbe said media practitioners must critically examine common industry claims, including the argument that unhealthy products are safe when consumed in moderation.

He noted that journalists can counter such claims by showing cumulative exposure, explaining how Nigerians often consume multiple high-salt or high-sugar foods daily, including snacks, processed meals, and school foods consumed by children.

Egbe emphasised the importance of elevating credible and independent voices above corporate public relations messaging.

He said industry press releases often dominate media coverage, sometimes crowding out independent scientific evidence.

To balance reporting, he encouraged journalists to prioritise independent nutrition scientists, public health experts, community health workers, and patient advocates who can provide evidence-based perspectives on food policy issues.

He also explained the importance of investigative journalism in tracking industry tactics, including marketing strategies targeting children, corporate sponsorships, and lobbying activities that may influence policy decisions.

According to Egbe, strong media engagement is essential to building public awareness, shaping policy debates, and ensuring that public health priorities are not overshadowed by commercial interests.