The Federal Government has given Nigeria’s food manufacturers 18 months to completely remove industrially produced trans-fatty acids from their products, in a move described as a critical step toward safeguarding public health.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced the directive on Friday while unveiling a national strategy to phase out trans fats, which are commonly found in processed oils, fried foods, and baked goods.
Health experts have long warned that trans fats are directly linked to heart disease, stroke, and premature deaths. Under the new plan, Nigeria will adopt a phased approach, including reformulating products, boosting laboratory testing capacity, monitoring compliance, educating the public, and partnering with government and civil society groups.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stressed that the country is moving from policy design to strict enforcement.
“The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement but also a moral imperative. Eliminating these fats is possible, achievable, necessary, and urgent,” Adeyeye said in a keynote address shared on X (formerly Twitter).
She explained that the 18-month transition period will give companies enough time to use up existing stocks and reformulate their products to meet new legal requirements.
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