Civil society groups Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) marked World Consumer Rights Day. under the 2026 theme “Safe Products, Confident Consumers”, by urging federal and state governments to mandate salt reduction targets and front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) on processed foods.
Nigeria faces a surging non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden, with 29% of deaths tied to hypertension, heart disease, and kidney failure. Average salt intake hits 10g daily, double WHO’s 5g limit driven by hidden levels in noodles, snacks, bouillon, bread, and frozen foods.
The coalition praised the Federal Ministry of Health’s 2025 National Sodium Reduction Guidelines but demands enforcement for the 30% intake cut by 2030. They argue FOPL with clear warnings empowers consumers against deceptive marketing, unlike buried back-panel info.
“High-salt products aren’t safe, consumer rights are human rights,” the groups stated, citing FOPL’s proven impact on quick identification of unhealthy items. They called on NAFDAC, FCCPC, SON, and FMOHSW for salt caps, child marketing bans on ultra-processed foods, monitoring, and education campaigns.
Consumers should read labels and demand reform, prioritizing health over industry profits in line with global standards.