Unsafe Food Kills 53,000 and Sickens 50 Million Nigerians Every Year, FG Warns

The Federal Government has warned that unsafe food causes over 53,000 deaths and nearly 50 million illnesses in Nigeria each year. At a briefing for World Food Safety Day 2026, the Minister of State for Health said these foodborne diseases cost the nation 4.26 million healthy life years, with children under five bearing more than 80% of the burden. Diarrhoeal infections linked to Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Shigella and rotavirus account for over 40 million cases annually. Chemical contaminants such as lead in grains, spices and water are also on the rise, undermining health and development. Nigeria has made strides in food safety, surpassing WHO targets in recent evaluations. Draft regulations on sodium reduction, industrial trans-fat elimination and a stronger sugar-sweetened beverage tax are in progress to curb diet-related diseases. The government is calling for improved hygiene in traditional markets, robust surveillance of chemical hazards and full compliance by food businesses. Ensuring safe food is essential for public health security, economic growth and the well-being of Nigerian children.

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