The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in collaboration with its development partners, has launched the “Read the Food Label Campaign,” a nationwide initiative aimed at encouraging Nigerians to make healthier and safer food choices by reading and understanding food labels before purchasing or consuming pre-packaged foods.
Speaking through a virtual address at the campaign’s launch, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described food labels as more than just regulatory requirements, saying they are essential public health tools that empower consumers with critical information needed to make informed dietary decisions.
According to her, food labels provide vital details on product ingredients, nutritional composition, allergens, storage conditions, expiry dates, and manufacturer information, enabling consumers to safeguard their health and wellbeing.
Prof. Adeyeye noted that the increasing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases in Nigeria has made food label literacy a public health priority.
She urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of reading and understanding food labels before making food purchases or consuming packaged products.
“Before you buy it, read it. Before you eat it, understand it,” she advised.
In her welcome address, the Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN), Mrs. Eva Edwards, said the campaign is designed to foster a national culture of reading food labels as part of efforts to improve consumer awareness and promote healthier eating habits.
She added that the initiative would also lay the foundation for the future implementation of Front-of-Pack Labelling, a nutrition communication strategy that provides consumers with easy-to-understand nutritional information on packaged foods.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Executive Director of Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), Mrs. Nanlop Ogbureke, Ms. Okeoma Obasi commended NAFDAC for spearheading the initiative, describing it as a significant step towards improving health literacy and creating healthier food environments across Nigeria.
Other development partners at the event also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the campaign and working with NAFDAC to strengthen public awareness, improve food safety, and advance healthier food environments through sustained collaboration.