A Coalition of civil society organisations has called on federal and state governments to enforce mandatory salt limits and introduce front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) for processed and pre-packaged foods to curb rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, heart disease, and kidney failure.

They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with government agencies, public health experts, and other stakeholders to create a healthier food environment and ensure consumers can make informed dietary choices.

The coalition, Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), in a joint statement, expressed concern that the average Nigerian consumes about 10 grams of salt daily, nearly double the five-gram limit recommended by the World Health Organisation.

According to the groups, nearly 29 per cent of deaths in Nigeria are now linked to NCDs, with excessive salt consumption identified as a major contributor. While commending the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for launching the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction in 2025, they stressed that enforcement is critical to achieving the country’s target of a 30 per cent reduction in salt intake by 2030.

“Consumers cannot be confident in the products they buy if critical nutrition information is hidden or difficult to understand,” the statement said.

The coalition advocated clear and easy-to-read warning labels on the front of food packages, noting that many commonly consumed products, including noodles, bouillon cubes, bread, snacks, and salad dressings, contain high salt levels, often concealed in technical or hard-to-read labels.

They argued that mandatory FOPL has proven effective globally in helping consumers quickly identify foods high in salt, sugar, or fat, thereby supporting healthier dietary choices.

“Food safety goes beyond contamination; it includes nutritional safety. When consumers are unaware of hidden salt in their foods, their right to make informed choices is compromised,” the groups added.

The coalition urged relevant regulatory agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to enforce mandatory salt targets in processed foods.