CADEF Advocates for Zero Added Sugar in Infant Foods

On Thursday, during a high-level stakeholder meeting in Abuja, the Consumer Advocacy and Development Foundation (CADEF) and other stakeholders called for urgent regulatory reforms to eliminate added sugar in infant foods. This call was prompted by a study from Public Eye, which tested nearly 100 samples of infant cereals, revealing that 94% contained added sugar, with an average of 6 grams per serving.

CADEF's Executive Director, Chiso Ndukw Okafor, emphasized that the advocacy is not aimed at targeting specific companies but rather at safeguarding children's health by advancing zero added sugar standards in Nigeria. The current standards, based on Codex guidelines developed 30 years ago, are deemed insufficient to protect infant nutrition.

Stakeholders urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to review existing standards and enforce clearer labeling requirements. The meeting also highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns to educate parents about the risks of added sugar in infant foods.