Nigeria Reports 53,000 Annual Deaths from Foodborne Illnesses

The Federal Government of Nigeria disclosed that approximately 53,000 Nigerians die each year from foodborne illnesses, with children under five accounting for 80% of the country's foodborne disease burden. During a press briefing in Abuja to commemorate World Food Safety Day 2026, Minister of State for Health, Iziak Salako, emphasized the need for food manufacturers to reformulate their products to reduce salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats while improving hygiene standards and labeling transparency.

He warned that unsafe food undermines health and development, particularly affecting around 40 million Nigerian children suffering from diarrheal illnesses linked to foodborne pathogens. Salako noted that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is finalizing sodium reduction regulations and has already implemented measures to eliminate trans fats in line with World Health Organization recommendations.

He called for compliance with national food safety standards and highlighted the importance of public awareness and stakeholder engagement in improving food safety practices across Nigeria.