Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector are urging citizens to lower their salt intake. This call to action comes as health experts gather to discuss the impact of excessive sodium consumption on public health.
During a recent event in Lagos focused on salt reduction, experts shared alarming statistics. Currently, Nigerians consume about 3.9 grams of salt daily, surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 2 grams. This high salt level contributes significantly to hypertension, which affects nearly 38.1% of adults in Nigeria. Hypertension is a critical risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Mr. Femi Stephen, Food Safety Technical Lead at the Federal Ministry of Health, highlighted that many people’s diets include processed and packaged foods high in sodium. He noted that as more Nigerians struggle with these health issues, the demand for specialists, such as cardiologists, is rising.
To tackle this problem, the government has introduced the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction. This plan aims to cut sodium intake by 30% by 2030 using a strategy known as the WHO SHAKE Roadmap. This initiative focuses on five key areas: surveillance, industry cooperation, standards, awareness, and environmental changes.
Participants also discussed food labeling. Bukola Odele from CAPPA remarked that most salt is hidden in common ingredients like seasoning cubes and preservatives. She advocated for Front-of-Pack labels. These labels would clearly show crucial nutritional information, empowering consumers to make healthier choices.
Dr. Jerome Mafeni, a technical advisor with NHED, echoed this sentiment. He stressed that clearer nutrition labels will help Nigerians better understand their food, promoting healthier eating habits.
As the conversations continue, media professionals are being trained to report effectively on these issues. This training aims to elevate public awareness, encouraging healthier dietary practices among Nigerians.
According to a recent study from the Nigerian Cardiovascular Disease Association, nearly 11 million Nigerians are currently living with hypertension. It’s clear that cutting back on salt could significantly improve the nation’s health landscape.
For more insights on nutrition and public health, you can refer to resources from health organizations like the World Health Organization.
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Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA),Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL),Nigerians,Salt intake,Salt reduction
