CAPPA Trains Journalists on Healthier Food Reporting

Lily Oluwafemi

Lagos, Nigeria – Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has taken a proactive step in addressing Nigeria’s growing health crisis by training journalists on the importance of salt reduction and Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL). The training aims to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools necessary to promote healthy food policies and combat the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.

Cablenews24 reports that CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, emphasized the crucial role of the media in shaping public understanding and influencing policy decisions related to nutrition and public health. He highlighted the media’s power to drive conversations that can lead to stronger health policies and better protection for Nigerians.

Oluwafemi described an ongoing “silent struggle” for control of Nigeria’s food system, where corporate interests often prioritize profit over public health. He stressed that citizens depend on government regulations and policies to protect their wellbeing, and the media sits at the center of this battle.

Training Focus: Salt Reduction, FOPL, and Industry Tactics

The journalism training, supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), focused on key areas including sodium reduction, front-of-pack labelling, and nutrient profile models. It also highlighted the marketing and lobbying tactics allegedly used by segments of the food and beverage industry to promote ultra-processed foods high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

Oluwafemi warned that the growing consumption of such products is contributing to the rise in NCDs such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers, which account for about 29 per cent of deaths in Nigeria. He added that these diseases are placing increasing pressure on families and the country’s already strained healthcare system.

Among the guest speakers was Public Health Consultant/General Physician, Dr. Joseph Ekiyor, who spoke on “Unhealthy Diets & the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.” Ekiyor raised concerns over the growing burden of NCDs in Nigeria, linking the trend to unhealthy diets, increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and changing lifestyle patterns.

Ekiyor described NCDs as chronic conditions that are not transmissible from person to person but require long-term treatment, repeated hospital visits, and specialized care. He noted that diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and some cancers are increasingly becoming major public health concerns in Nigeria.

Transnational Food Companies and Aggressive Marketing

Ekiyor explained the role of transnational food companies and aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, especially to children and young people, in shaping unhealthy eating habits. He further explained that research shows eating patterns and taste preferences developed in early childhood often persist into adulthood, making young people a key target for food and beverage advertising.

He pointed to lifestyle changes, including rapid urbanization, poorly planned cities with limited spaces for physical activity, and increased shift to sedentary jobs, as contributing factors to rising NCD cases.

Rising Disease Trends and Economic Consequences

Providing data on disease trends, Ekiyor noted that hypertension prevalence in Nigeria has increased significantly over the years, rising from about 8.6 per cent in 1995 to over 30 per cent in recent years. Similarly, Type 2 diabetes prevalence has increased from about two per cent to between five and seven per cent over 25 years.

He added that obesity rates are rising, with sugar-sweetened beverage consumption strongly linked to weight gain, while dental health issues such as dental caries have also been associated with high sugar intake.

Ekiyor warned that beyond health effects, NCDs have serious economic consequences, including reduced workforce productivity, lower national output, and increased healthcare expenditure. He further noted that Nigeria’s health system, already struggling with infectious diseases, faces significant challenges in addressing the rising NCD burden.

Recommendations for a Healthier Future

Ekiyor emphasized the need for population-wide interventions, including public education, behavioral change communication, taxation on unhealthy foods and drinks, mandatory product reformulation, and subsidies to make healthier food options more affordable.

He recommended that free sugar intake should be less than 10 per cent of total energy consumption, salt intake should be below five grams per day, while individuals should consume at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables daily, alongside whole grains and unprocessed foods.

Salt Target and FOPL as Policy Tools

Programme Officer, Cardiovascular Health, CAPPA, Ms. Bukola Olukemi Odele, spoke on “Salt Target, Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL), as Policy Tools for Combating Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Burden.” She explained the strong link between unhealthy diets and the increasing prevalence of diseases such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases across Nigeria.

Odele noted that NCDs account for about 29 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases responsible for about 11 per cent. She warned that contrary to previous beliefs, NCDs are no longer diseases associated mainly with the wealthy, as they are increasingly affecting low-income households.

National Sodium Reduction Guidelines: A Major Step

Food Safety Technical Lead, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Femi Stephen, spoke on “Overview of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines.” He noted that Nigeria has taken a major step toward tackling the rising burden of NCDs with the introduction of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines, a policy framework aimed at reducing excessive salt consumption and improving public health outcomes.

Stephen explained that the new guidelines form part of broader national efforts to curb lifestyle-related diseases, which are increasingly placing pressure on the country’s health system and economy. He noted that reducing sodium intake can significantly lower blood pressure levels across populations, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improving life expectancy.

Empowering Consumers with FOPL

Technical Advisor, Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Dr. Jerome Mafeni, emphasized the need for food labelling policies that empower consumers to make informed dietary decisions. Mafeni noted that many Nigerians regularly consume fast foods and packaged food products without fully understanding their nutritional content.

He explained that pre-packaged foods often contain higher levels of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which enhance taste, texture, and appearance but pose long-term health risks.

There was a consensus for a coordinated action from government, health agencies, the food industry, and the public to promote healthier dietary choices and protect future generations. CAPPA’s initiative to train journalists on salt reduction and FOPL represents a crucial step in empowering the media to play a more active role in combating Nigeria’s health crisis.

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