Unsafe Food Causes 53,000 Deaths Annually in Nigeria – FG

The Federal Government has raised concerns over the growing threat of foodborne diseases, revealing that unsafe food causes more than 53,000 deaths and nearly 50 million illnesses in Nigeria every year.

Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Food Safety Day, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, described food safety as a major public health and national development issue.

According to the minister, foodborne diseases result in an estimated 4.26 million years of healthy life lost annually due to illness, disability, and premature death.

“Nigeria records nearly 50 million foodborne illnesses every year, while unsafe food is responsible for more than 53,000 deaths annually,” Salako said.

He noted that children under the age of five bear the greatest burden, accounting for more than 80 percent of foodborne disease cases in the country. He warned that the impact extends beyond illness and death, affecting children's physical, cognitive, and developmental potential.

Salako cited diarrhoeal diseases as the leading foodborne health challenge in Nigeria, with over 40 million cases linked to pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, and rotavirus.

He also expressed concern over rising exposure to chemical contaminants, particularly lead contamination in grains, spices, and water sources, which contributes to significant health losses.

The minister referenced recent estimates by the World Health Organization, which indicate that unsafe food causes about 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths globally each year, with Africa carrying the highest per-capita burden.

Despite the challenges, Salako said Nigeria has made progress in strengthening its food safety systems. He highlighted improvements recorded during the country’s 2023 Joint External Evaluation and noted that Nigeria’s 2025 State Party Annual Report score exceeded WHO targets for low- and middle-income countries.

He called for stronger surveillance of chemical contaminants, improved food safety practices in traditional markets, better sanitation infrastructure, and stricter compliance with national food standards.

The minister also linked food safety to the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and stroke. He disclosed that Nigeria has developed sodium reduction guidelines and is implementing industrial trans-fat elimination regulations while reviewing measures to strengthen taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and improve food labeling systems.

Also speaking at the event, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mojisola Adeyeye, said food safety remains critical to public health and national development.

Represented by Eva Edwards, Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Adeyeye stressed that reducing foodborne diseases requires science-based regulation, effective surveillance, and stronger collaboration among government agencies, industry stakeholders, researchers, and consumers.

Meanwhile, the advocacy group Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa urged the government to adopt tougher regulations on unhealthy foods and beverages. The organization warned that excessive consumption of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and ultra-processed foods is contributing to rising rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, and certain cancers.

CAPPA welcomed efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax and called for the introduction of front-of-pack warning labels, sodium reduction targets, and tighter restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children.

World Food Safety Day is observed annually to promote awareness and action aimed at preventing, detecting, and managing food-related risks. The 2026 edition was celebrated under the theme, “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.”

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share