The growing need for awareness and advocacy on the dangers associated with the consumption of unfortified and unbranded edible oils, as well as the sharp practices by some oil producers that sideline regulatory agencies, formed the basis of a regional workshop held in Lagos, reports ITREALMS.
The two-day workshop, themed “Phase Out of Unbranded/Unfortified Edible Oils in Nigeria”, was convened by the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and e-Health Africa. It opened on Tuesday at Dover Hotel, Lagos.
Delivering a presentation via Zoom, the Senior Associate for Food Fortification at GAIN, Adetola Titilayo Otunla, recalled that Nigeria has implemented a mandatory Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) programme since 2002, covering salt, sugar, edible oil, margarine, and flour. She noted that the initiative has contributed to significant reductions in health issues such as anemia, goiter, birth defects, and Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) in about three million children.
“LSFF is a cost-effective investment, with every $1 spent generating $27 in returns from improved health and productivity,” she stressed.
Otunla, however, pointed out persistent gaps, citing low levels of consumption of fortified foods, poor branding and labeling, and weak compliance by oil producers. She revealed that while vegetable oil consumption in Nigeria stands at a high 90.3 per cent, only 31.4 per cent is fortified, and just 1.3 per cent meets recommended levels.
She further highlighted food safety challenges, including exposure of oils to contaminants such as dust, pesticides, or industrial residues during storage, transport, and handling.
According to her, unbranded oils also make it difficult to trace sources for fortification compliance and monitoring, while poor storage and exposure to light and heat often degrade added Vitamin A.
Otunla urged oil producers to comply with standards and ensure that edible oils consistently meet recommended fortification requirements.
In his remarks, the Project Manager at e-Health, Mr. Dominic Gulak, stressed that unbranded oils pose serious health risks since they are largely untraceable and often contaminated.
Otunla urged oil producers to comply with standards and ensure that edible oils consistently meet recommended fortification requirements.
In his remarks, the Project Manager at e-Health, Mr. Dominic Gulak, stressed that unbranded oils pose serious health risks since they are largely untraceable and often contaminated.
He linked such consumption to cardiovascular diseases and other conditions associated with fat accumulation in the heart.
Beyond technical fortification, Gulak emphasized the need for behavioral change communication to influence consumer choices, urging Nigerians to embrace fortified edible oils.
He also called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to intensify awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts, in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to strengthen compliance with fortification policies on staple foods.
Beyond technical fortification, Gulak emphasized the need for behavioral change communication to influence consumer choices, urging Nigerians to embrace fortified edible oils.
He also called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to intensify awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts, in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to strengthen compliance with fortification policies on staple foods.
Gbemi Omotoso/Editor
2 comments:
Good job . Keep it up
Good job👍
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