Expert Seeks Govt’s Policies Against Unhealthy Ultra Processed Foods

Muhyideen Jimoh
Mar, Tue, 2024

Health

Expert seeks govt’s policies against unhealthy ultra processed foods

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By Priscilla Osaje

Mr Abayomi Sarumi, the Programme Manager, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), has urged the Federal Government to come up with policies that will protect children against unhealthy ultra processed foods.

Sarumi gave the advice on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to him, government needs to set up policies that will not only expand access to healthy food, but these policies must also ensure that vulnerable groups, including children are protected against unhealthy ultra processed foods.

The CAPPA programme manager said that the growing fast paced lifestyle induced by the use of social media, westernisation of the Nigerian diet was a clear pointer to the gimmicks of the Ultra Processed Products (UPPs) industries.

According to him, both urbanisation and westernisation increase the consumption of foods that are high in salt, contain excessive sugar, loaded with industrially produced trans-fatty acids, and less of fruits and vegetables.

“These foods are less nutritive or non-nutritive, easy to make, and sold as a convenient meal that is beneficial to the body.

“From feedback gathered from engaging community members, it is clear that many in the communities are lured to these foods by the unrelenting adverts, false marketing, and deceptive messaging that accompanies these foods.

“They are offered as solutions to long cooking time, replacement for healthy and natural foods, and a symbol of good living.

“Due to the increasing economic downturn in the country, it is forgivable to hear people say that they can’t afford healthy foods.

“Surprisingly, this has always been the response of many. The popular chorus is ‘fruits are expensive’. The same goes for any food that is categorised as healthy,” expert said.

According to him, the misconception of how expensive healthy food is drives a lot of people away from focusing on what is nutritious for their body and health.

“This deliberate misconception has made it easier for the big food industries, especially UPPs, the opportunity to package their products as replacements to healthy foods.

“Many food additives are marketed and sold as ‘alternatives’ to vegetables which are cheaper, easier, and provides same value in nutrients.

“However, the real cost of consuming unhealthy diet is the treatment of lifelong diseases, especially non-communicable diseases, loss of productivity, fractioned social structure, and overburdened healthcare system.”

Sarumi said that government needs to put in place policies that will expand access to healthy foods, emphasising the need to educate Nigerians on the gains that will come with such policies.

“Across a range of food policy issues, governments must set up effective and mandatory regulations that will help to protect the people, improve the country’s health, and increase the country’s productivity.

“It is also critical for the government to decisively punish those who violate the laws. This punishment should include payment for health conditions linked to consumption of unhealthy diets like the ones found in the principle of Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP).

“Clearly, the burden of diseases in Nigeria is alarming and to reverse this trend, the government of Nigeria must consciously put effective policies in place. The people must also begin to understand that there is no alternative to good health,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

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