NAFDAC warns on danger of excessive salt intake

The National Agency For Food And Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday, called for a reduction in salt intake to avoid the growing risk of cardiovascular disease.

Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Christianah Mojisola Adeyeye, and other critical stakeholders made the call at the Nigeria sodium study stakeholders’ meeting, held at the University of Abuja.

The programme was organised by Nigeria sodium study in collaboration with the cardiovascular research centre, university of Abuja, George Institute for global health, National Agency For Food And Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC) federal ministry of health and Northwestern Medicine Feinberg School of medicine.

Mojisola Adeyeye urged the food industry to voluntarily reduce the amount of salt in products amid a “growing epidemic of preventable, diet-related conditions.

She noted that habitual consumption of excess salt might seem harmless, but it is linked to several non-communicable diseases which are prevalent in Nigeria.

According to her, people currently have difficulty limiting their intake of salt as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“A meaningful strategy to reduce salt consumption across populations must contain all elements of the SHAKE salt reduction package developed by WHO. The essential elements of SHAKE are: Surveillance: measure and monitor salt use.

“The cooperation of food manufacturers, processors, importers, and the restaurant sector in lowering the amount of salt in the food supply will enable consumers to access a reduced salt diet.”

She added that a successful salt reduction programme will require action at all levels individuals, civil society, healthcare providers and their professional societies, academia, public health agencies and governments – to generate knowledge, change the food environment and influence social norms so that people demand and gain greater control over the amount of salt they consume.

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah lamented that Nigeria has so many problems and the dangers of taking excessive salt is one of them.

While cautioning people against the consumption of salt and other sodium product, he said working with NAFDAC will definitely make a difference for Nigerians.

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NAFDAC warns on danger of excessive salt intake