By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    UN Secretary-General Launches Report To Break “The Cycle Of Debt Distress”
    2 days ago
    Israel-Iran War: South Africa Wants United Nations To Step In
    1 week ago
    G7 finance leaders seek non-tariff consensus in Canada, may face US pushback
    Ahead G7 Summit, Finance Ministers Seek Non-tariff Consensus In Canada, May Face US Pushback
    1 month ago
    Over 28,000 Women And Girls Killed In Gaza Since October 2023
    1 month ago
    Global Aid Cut
    New Report Reveals How Global Aid Cuts Affecting Women’s Organisations Aiding Women In Crises
    2 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    Africa Leaders Summit: US To Strengthening Partnerships To Meet Shared Priorities
    3 years ago
    President Ruto Rallies Kenyans To Move Nation Forward
    2 years ago
    Tanzania: United Nations Steps Up Efforts To Build Climate Resilience
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Ooni’s Wife, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi Takes Ile Ife Royalty To ADWIN Launch In Cote d’Ivoire
    3 weeks ago
    Independent UN Body Finds Systemic Racism Against Africans And People Of African Descent
    3 weeks ago
    Public Exit: Why South Africa Businesses Are Moving To Private Cloud
    4 weeks ago
    Cameroon Tops List Of World’s Most Neglected Displacement Crises
    4 weeks ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Nobody Can Hijack Our Mandate, Vows Osun Gov, Adeleke
    2 years ago
    PDP To Osun People: Oyetola Is A ‘Political Leprosy’, Run For Cover
    2 years ago
    UI Alumni Association Hails Okowa’s Giant Strides In Delta State
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Lagos LG Poll: Tunde Disco/Ganiyu Obasa Intensify Campaign In Agege
    3 days ago
    PHOTOS: Vinod Obasa Joins Other Lagos APC LG Candidates At Sanwo-Olu’s Reception
    5 days ago
    Lagos Lawmaker Praises Tinubu For Helping Nigeria Breathe Again
    3 weeks ago
    LG Election: Stakeholders Appeal To APC Not To Allow Chairmen Run For 3rd term
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    1 year ago
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    D2D Satellite Comms: Nigeria’s Space Research Agency Signs MoU With Chinese Firm, Galaxy Space
    2 weeks ago
    Substance Use Prevention In Focus As NDLEA, UNODC Unveil 2025 World Drug Day Activities
    2 weeks ago
    Benue: Stop the Killings, CAPPA Demands Immediate Action
    2 weeks ago
    Court Orders Flouted Again as Armed Men Escort Attempted Takeover Of Lekki Property
    2 weeks ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Papa Ajasco Is Dead
    2 years ago
    DSO: BON Rejects NCC’s Planned Sale of 600MHZ Spectrum Band
    2 years ago
    Grammy Awards Hold In February 2024
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    The Drama Returns As BBNaija ‘No Loose Guard’ Reunion Premieres June 23
    1 week ago
    You Can’t Fake it — James Omekwe On MultiChoice’s Impact On African Filmmaking
    3 weeks ago
    Jkenova and Ellacentric Exit Nigerian Idol Season 10 In Emotional Farewell
    3 weeks ago
    MultiChoice Africa x African Storytelling: How Local Content Shapes Local Culture
    4 weeks ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    10 World’s Best Relocation Destinations
    3 years ago
    Top First Class Obas To Grace Aremo Ogunbiyi’s Installation As Baba Ijo Of UAMC Surulere
    1 year ago
    Nigeria Benin Bronzes: Buhari Declaration ‘Blindsides’ Museum Officials
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Noble Call to Service: Inside the Induction of 104 New Knights of St. Mulumba
    2 weeks ago
    Joining The Knighthood Brings You Closer To God -Sir Eva Njemanze
    2 weeks ago
    Africa Tech Festival Unveils Strategic Themes For 2025 Event,
    2 weeks ago
    Lagos SWAN Joins UN To Celebrate World Nutrition Month At Unilag Confab
    1 month ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    NNPCL Board Accused Of Planning Lavish Party In Rwanda Amidst N210tn Financial Scandal
    1 week ago
    Can the African Energy Bank Transform the Continent’s Refining and Downstream Future?
    2 weeks ago
    Lagos Will Continue To Lead Initiatives That Accelerate Economic Diversification – Sanwo-Olu
    1 month ago
    Afreximbank
    Afreximbank Reports Strong Performance For Q1 2025 In Line With expectations
    1 month ago
    Pan-African Payment & Settlement System
    Nigeria Unlocks Intra-African Trade With New Pan-African Payment & Settlement System Policy Boost
    2 months ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    South Africa’s Cannabis Growers In Pondoland Left Behind By Legalisation Plans
    3 years ago
    WHO Expands Health Services Support For Vulnerable Populations In Nigeria’s Northeast
    2 years ago
    trachoma
    WHO Commends Benin, Mali For Eliminating Trachoma As Public Health Problem
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Online Education Can Enhance Clinical Guideline Use By Over 50% 
    2 weeks ago
    The Hidden Lifeline – Blood Security And Africa’s Health Agenda By Dr Allan Pamba
    2 weeks ago
    Apepa or Arterial Blockage? The Urgency of Self-Care After 45 By Babafemi Ojudu
    3 weeks ago
    Roche Launches Diagnostics Operations In Nigeria,
    4 weeks ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: How Warning Labels Can Save Nigerians from Toxic Diets
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Opinion > How Warning Labels Can Save Nigerians from Toxic Diets
Opinion

How Warning Labels Can Save Nigerians from Toxic Diets

Last updated: 2025/05/19 at 6:10 AM
1 month ago
Share
Toxic Diets
SHARE

BY HUMPHREY UKEAJA

Imagine walking through a busy Nigerian market, where brightly coloured food packages compete for your attention. From small shops to large malls, a wide variety of items are attractively displayed. However, hidden beneath these colourful wraps is a danger of too much sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats in majority of these products, which are contributing to Nigeria’s growing health problems. Without clear, required Front of Pack warning labels (FOPWL), consumers are denied the basic right to make informed choices. They unknowingly buy more junk food, which significantly increases the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which currently contributes to 30 percent Annual deaths in Nigeria.

As a matter of evidence, a recent report titled Junk on Our Plates by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) underscores this urgent need for FOPWL. The report, based on investigations across seven Nigerian states, reveals how food and beverage companies aggressively market unhealthy foods, often falsely labelling them as “nutritious” or “natural.” For instance, some sugary yogurts were labelled “not sugary,” while seasoning brands in Northern Nigeria concealed information about their high sodium content but utilised culturally resonant messaging to promote them. It is precisely this kind of lack of openness that strips Nigerians of the ability to make informed food choices, pushing them further into the grip of preventable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

The global rise in NCDs is well-documented, and Nigeria is no exception. A key reason for this is the consumption of heavily processed foods, pushed in the market through aggressive advertising and strategic placement. Without mandatory warning labels to signal danger, consumers are left unaware of the risks. As a result, poor dietary choices become normalised, feeding a cycle of illness that burdens families and the national healthcare system alike.

But it is not all doom. International experiences show that countries can successfully reverse these trends with bold regulatory action. In Chile, for example, the introduction of a groundbreaking system of clear, black octagonal warning labels on foods high in critical nutrients of concern, such as sugar, sodium, saturated fats, and trans fats empowered consumers to become more aware, forced companies to reformulate products, and the purchases of sugary drinks to drop by nearly 24 percent within a year.

Mexico and Peru adopted similar systems and recorded significant shifts in consumer behaviour and industry practices. In Peru, marketing claims on processed foods changed drastically as manufacturers reformulated products and utilised warning labels, thereby making their products healthier. Beyond Latin America, other nations are also making progress. In Canada, while not exactly warning labels, nutrition symbols flag high levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fat in food products. These labels have helped increase consumer awareness and, to some extent, encouraged the development of healthier products. South Africa has published draft regulations for front-of-pack warning labels, backed by research and growing public support. These global examples demonstrate that effective labelling can reduce harmful consumption, reshape industry behaviour, and protect public health.

In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has long endorsed front-of-pack warning labels as one of the most cost-effective tools for preventing diet-related NCDs. In its 2020 guidance, WHO recommended interpretive labelling systems—such as high-visibility warnings and symbols—over complex numeric formats that are difficult for consumers to understand. According to WHO, such labels not only empower people to make healthier food choices, but also contribute to reducing health inequalities, particularly among lower-income groups who are more vulnerable to aggressive junk food marketing. Countries that have adopted these systems in line with WHO’s guidance have seen measurable declines in the consumption of unhealthy foods, underscoring the effectiveness of labelling as part of a broader nutrition policy framework.

For Nigeria, mandatory warning labels are not just about consumer rights, they are a public health necessity. A clear, standardized system will equip citizens to make better dietary choices, reduce the consumption of junk food, and lessen the burden of NCDs. This proactive approach can stop the rising tide of diet-related diseases and ensure a healthier future for generations to come.

As a matter of urgency, the Nigerian government should enact regulations requiring front-of-pack warning labels for foods high in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. These labels must be visible, understandable, and consistent across all brands. Public education campaigns are also essential to help consumers interpret labels and understand the health risks of poor nutrition. At the same time, manufacturers should be compelled to reformulate products to reduce harmful ingredients and align with public health goals.

Ultimately, embracing transparent Front of Pack Warning labelling policies is a vital step towards building a healthier Nigeria, where informed choices win over the deceptive appeal of junk food and the well-being of the population is prioritized over short-term commercial interests and profits.

Ukeaja is the Industry Monitoring Officer at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

You Might Also Like

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: A Birthday Bash For Dr Joseph Obasanya

Flag Football: Shattering Limits and Empowering Nigerian Athletes (Part 3) By Phemmy Adetula

Benue: Stop the Killings, CAPPA Demands Immediate Action

Democracy, Conviction, And The True Meaning Of Honor By Babafemi Ojudu

The Hidden Lifeline – Blood Security And Africa’s Health Agenda By Dr Allan Pamba

TAGGED: CAPPA, Toxic Diets
INadminNG May 19, 2025 May 19, 2025
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article Olowo’s Cup Kicks Off At Two Centres 19 May
Next Article Doping: NSC’s Hammer Falls On Registered Athletes For Gateway Games 2024
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?