Nigeria Introduces Food Procurement Guidelines for Health

On [date not specified], Nigeria launched new food procurement guidelines to enhance public nutrition and combat malnutrition, particularly among children. The guidelines were unveiled by Dr.

Iziak Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, in Abuja. Dr.

Salako described the guidelines as a transformative policy that will serve as a strategic tool for public procurement, aimed at improving nutrition and preventing diseases. He highlighted that unhealthy diets contribute to an estimated 7.2 million deaths globally each year, with Nigerians consuming an average of 3.9 grams of sodium daily, nearly double the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 2 grams.

The guidelines promote balanced diets, limit sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, and complement existing government measures. Dr.

Salako expressed concern over Nigeria's malnutrition challenges, noting that nearly half of deaths among children under five are linked to malnutrition. The guidelines support ongoing procurement reforms and aim to improve transparency and access to quality health commodities.