Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare has revealed that research proves that average salt intake in Nigeria exceeds the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 5 grams per day.
At the launch of the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, he also said most Nigerian communities are already consuming between 7 and 9 grams daily.
Dr. Iziaq Salako said the excessive over-consumption of sodium has led to increase in hypertension, scoped around over 35% of adult population in the country.
“The situation is exacerbated in urban areas, where dining habits lean heavily towards saltier prepared meals, unconsciously risking our lives with dietary habits that could lead to devastating, long-term health consequences, the Minister was quoted in a statement issued on Wednesday, by Alaba Balogun, the Director of the Ministry’s Press and Public Relations department.
He said the trend of consuming processed and packaged foods is a challenge to the country’s healthcare landscape and has increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases linked to high blood pressure.
“This has necessitated the bold public health initiatives to safeguard our communities against silent threats”, the Minister stated.
The document aims to harmonize global recommendations with local context, detailing practical measures like mandatory maximum sodium taegets, multifaceted public education behaviour change campaigns, and robust evaluation and monitoring mechanisms.
He added that guidelines support support continuous national surveillance and evaluation, ensuring that our efforts remain adaptable and impactful in reducing sodium levels.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachallom, represented by Pharm. Titus Tile, Director Traditional & Complimentary Medicine Department of the Ministry, said the reason non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke has been on the rise is linked to excessive sodium consumption.
She said the guideline is a proof of the Ministry’s commitment to having a comprehensive and evidence-based tool designed to promote healthier diets and ensure food safety across all sectors.
Director, Food and Drug Services Department of the Ministry, represented by Pharm. Olubunmi Aribeana, Director Food & Drugs Department said sodium reduction is not just a public health priority but, a matter of ensuring equity and integrity in food safety across the country.
He added that the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction is a crucial to curb excessive salt intake and promote a healthier living for all Nigerians.
The guideline is a step to ensuring the safety of food supply chain, entailing that regular medical checks are conducted for food handlers. It’s a research conducted by the Nigerian Sodium Study Team, based in the University of Abuja, and in tandem with the dedicated work of the National Technical Working Group on Sodium Reduction and other partners.