NAFDAC Launches National Roadmap to Eliminate Trans-Fatty Acids and Boost Food Safety
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a comprehensive Strategy and Roadmap for Trans-Fatty Acid Regulation in Nigeria, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to improve food safety and protect public health.
The initiative, announced in a statement on Sunday in Abuja by NAFDAC’s resident media consultant, Olusayo Akintola, seeks to strengthen national policies and enforcement mechanisms against unhealthy dietary components linked to heart disease, stroke, and premature death.
According to the statement, the roadmap represents a renewed national commitment to eliminate industrially produced trans fats from Nigeria’s food supply.
Quoting NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the statement highlighted that Nigeria has set a strict regulatory limit of no more than two grams of industrially produced trans fats per 100 grams of fat — a move aligned with global best practices.
Adeyeye recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2023 recognised Nigeria as one of only seven countries implementing best-practice trans-fat elimination policies, describing it as a bold step toward safeguarding citizens’ health and longevity.
She said the newly introduced roadmap outlines a phased strategy encompassing food industry reformulation, laboratory capacity building, compliance monitoring, public awareness campaigns, and multi-sector collaboration to ensure long-term success.
“With the support of partners such as WHO and Resolve to Save Lives, NAFDAC has enhanced its laboratory capacity for trans-fat analysis, accelerating nationwide implementation,” Adeyeye stated.
She called on government agencies, industry stakeholders, civil society groups, and consumers to work together toward WHO validation, stressing that Nigeria’s goal of eliminating industrial trans fats is both “urgent and entirely achievable.”
“The roadmap reinforces our commitment to public health protection, healthier food practices, and a future where Nigerians are free from the harmful effects of trans-fatty acids,” Adeyeye affirmed.
