NAFDAC Urges Nigerians To Read Food Labels For Healthier Food Choices

NAFDAC Urges Nigerians to Read Food Labels for Healthier Food Choices The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has urged Nigerians to pay closer attention to food labels when purchasing packaged products, warning that many consumers focus primarily on price and expiry dates while overlooking important nutritional information that could improve their health. The agency said food labels provide essential details about ingredients, nutritional value, allergens, serving sizes and storage instructions, enabling consumers to make informed dietary choices and reduce the risk of diet-related health conditions. According to NAFDAC, understanding this information is increasingly important as the consumption of processed and packaged foods continues to rise. The call follows research by the University of Lagos, which found that only five per cent of Nigerians have a good understanding of nutrition labels, while just 29 per cent regularly consult them before buying packaged food products. The findings suggest that low food label literacy remains a major barrier to healthier eating habits. Health experts say ignoring nutrition labels can lead to excessive intake of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, increasing the risk of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. They recommend that consumers pay attention to calorie content, nutrient composition, ingredient lists and allergen information rather than relying solely on product pricing or expiration dates. NAFDAC stressed that improving food label literacy is an important step toward promoting healthier lifestyles and preventing non-communicable diseases. The agency encouraged consumers to develop the habit of reading and understanding labels before making purchasing decisions, describing informed food choices as a key component of better public health. The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening consumer awareness through public education campaigns aimed at helping Nigerians understand food labels and make healthier dietary decisions.