By Funmilola Gboteku
The Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) is calling for urgent reforms to cut added sugars from infant foods, warning of long-term health risks to Nigerian children.
Its Executive Director, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, made the call in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
She said the advocacy was not targeted at any specific company but aimed at safeguarding children’s health and advancing a zero-added-sugar standard in Nigeria.
“African babies are being fed sugar that Europe would never accept. There are disparities in product formulations across regions,” she said.
The CADEF boss noted that findings showed some cereal-based infant foods contained almost five grams of sugar, adding that manufacturers were not violating existing laws.
“They are complying with current regulations, which are based on Codex standards developed over 30 years ago and the framework has become outdated,” she said.
Ndukwe-Okafor urged regulatory authorities to align national standards with current global health recommendations.
The CADEF boss warned that early exposure to added sugars could shape children’s taste preferences and increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, dental disease and other non-communicable diseases later in life.
She noted that the warning was in line with guidance from the World Health Organisation, which advises against added sugars in infant foods.
The CADEF boss also called for mandatory front-of-pack labelling to clearly distinguish sources of sugar and provide consumers with simple, accurate nutritional information.
“We need front-of-pack labelling in simple language that separates the source of sugar on each product,” Ndukwe-Okafor said.
As interim guidance, she advised parents to limit processed foods and avoid sugary drinks and sweets for children, recommending natural options such as fruits.
“Don’t give children soft drinks. Don’t give them sweets,” she said.
Also speaking, Adeyemo Adebayo of the Nutrition Division of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said policy reforms must be supported by sustained public advocacy.
He called for broader health education, including engagement with traditional and religious leaders, to reinforce that infants do not require added sugar.
Mr Jubril Mohammed, representing the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), said the agency facilitates consensus-driven standards and proposals such as eliminating added sugar must be backed by evidence and stakeholder agreement.
He noted that review processes could take up to a year but expressed willingness to collaborate with CADEF.
From a clinical perspective, Dr Anthony Bawa of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria called for stronger collaboration among academia, health institutions and lawmakers.
Bawa stressed the importance of the National Assembly’s involvement in enacting protective legislation that would be essential to safeguard infant health.
The stakeholders agreed that a mix of regulatory reform, industry accountability and consumer education would be essential to protect the health of Nigerian infants. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola
