FG: Foodborne Illnesses Kill 53,000 Nigerians Annually

The Federal Government has raised concern over the heavy toll of unsafe food in Nigeria, saying foodborne illnesses are responsible for about 53,000 deaths in the country every year.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed the figure as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark World Food Safety Day. According to reports by Daily Trust, Vanguard and THISDAY, the government also estimates that nearly 50 million cases of foodborne diseases occur in Nigeria annually.

Salako said the burden remains particularly severe among children, with under-fives accounting for more than 80 percent of the impact. The figures, he noted, underline the need for stronger prevention, safer food handling and better enforcement across the food chain.

Unsafe food remains a major public health threat

Foodborne illnesses are caused by consuming contaminated food or drinks. They can result from bacteria, viruses, parasites, chemicals or toxins introduced during production, processing, transportation, storage or preparation.

In Nigeria, poor hygiene practices, inadequate cold-chain systems, unsafe water, weak monitoring and informal food markets often increase exposure to contaminated food. Health experts have repeatedly warned that the problem goes beyond temporary stomach upset, as severe cases can lead to long-term complications or death, especially among children, pregnant women, older persons and people with weakened immune systems.

The Federal Government said the latest figures show that food safety must be treated as a national health and development priority. It also stressed that consumers, food vendors, farmers, processors, regulators and state governments all have roles to play in reducing preventable deaths.

Government outlines policy actions

As part of broader public health reforms, Salako highlighted policy measures aimed at improving nutrition and reducing diet-related diseases. These include action on sodium reduction, restrictions on industrial trans-fat, taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages and the introduction of front-of-pack labels to help consumers make healthier choices.

The government said such measures are necessary because food safety and nutrition are closely connected. While contaminated food can cause immediate illness, unhealthy food environments also contribute to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.

Front-of-pack labelling is expected to make nutrition information easier for the public to understand, while sodium and trans-fat policies are designed to push producers toward safer standards. The sugar tax policy is also part of efforts to discourage excessive consumption of sweetened drinks and support healthier diets.

World Food Safety Day message

World Food Safety Day is marked annually to draw attention to the importance of preventing, detecting and managing foodborne risks. This year’s commemoration again placed focus on the need for stronger systems that protect consumers from farm to table.

For Nigeria, the government’s figures present a serious warning. Nearly 50 million annual cases mean that unsafe food is not an isolated problem but a daily national risk affecting homes, schools, markets, restaurants and food businesses.

Public health advocates say progress will require better inspection of food premises, more public awareness, improved sanitation, access to clean water, stronger laboratory capacity and consistent enforcement of safety standards.

The Federal Government said it remains committed to working with relevant agencies and partners to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases and promote safer, healthier food for Nigerians.

Sources: Daily Trust, Vanguard, THISDAY