SALT AWARENESS WEEK: CAPPA CALLS FOR ACCELERATION OF SALT REDUCTION TARGET

Nongovernmental organisation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the formulation of regulations for enforcing salt targets in processed and packaged foods. CAPPA says such is critical for checkmating the country’s growing prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and kidney failure. In a statement to mark World Salt Awareness Week 2025, CAPPA cited the World Health Organisation (WHO) data showing that reducing salt intake is one of the most cost-effective measures countries can take to improve population health outcomes. The statement signed by Robert Egbe, Media and Communications Officer, CAPPA, noted that WHO Member States are on a plan to reduce the global population’s intake of salt by 30 percent by the end of this year. But most countries, including Nigeria, are unlikely to meet the deadline. According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, between seven and nine grams of salt daily, far exceeding the WHO recommended limit of five grams (equivalent to 2 grams of sodium). Consequently, no less than 10 per cent of cardiovascular disease deaths in the country are attributed to excess sodium consumption. Sodium overconsumption has also been tied to the alarming rise in hypertension, now affecting over 35 per cent of adult Nigerians. “This is too heavy a burden for the health sector to bear, and the issue is a major contributor to Nigeria’s alarming burden of noncommunicable diseases,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA. Oluwafemi reaffirmed CAPPA’s support for the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction recently launched by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. He also urged the Ministry to ramp up support to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) which is drafting the regulations. The statement noted that cultural practices, rapid urbanization, deceptive marketing and changing lifestyles are tilting Nigerians’ dietary patterns towards ultra-processed foods high in sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. “This makes the need for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on food packages a necessity. Furthermore, manufacturers should also be compelled to reformulate their recipes to reduce the salt content of their products without compromising quality,” the statement added. World Salt Awareness Week is observed from May 12th to 18th and aims to raise awareness about the impact of excess salt intake on health and promote healthy dietary habits.