NAFDAC has ordered food companies to eliminate industrial trans fats within 18 months.
The agency says the move, aligned with WHO standards, is vital to protect public health.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has directed food companies in Nigeria to eliminate industrially produced trans fats from their products within 18 months. The grace period, which runs until early 2026, will allow manufacturers to reformulate products, update labeling, and exhaust existing stock before the agency begins full enforcement.
The directive is part of a comprehensive national roadmap designed to enforce Nigeria’s regulatory limit of no more than two grams of industrially produced trans fat per 100 grams of total fat or oil. This standard aligns with global best practices recommended by the World Health Organization.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said the move was not only a technical health measure but also a moral responsibility. “The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative,” she stated, while calling for collective action across the country.
Adeyeye explained that trans fats are a major dietary risk factor linked to cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and premature deaths worldwide. Eliminating them, she added, is both urgent and achievable. The DG further noted that the program takes Nigeria beyond policy creation into actual enforcement, marking a decisive step for public health.
The grace period, she said, is intended to give manufacturers time to adjust without disrupting food supply. Companies are expected to reconfigure recipes, adopt healthier oils, and ensure packaging complies with the legal requirements before the deadline lapses.
Nigeria has already gained international recognition for adopting strong anti-trans fat policies. In 2023, the World Health Organization listed the country among those implementing best-practice measures. The current roadmap is expected to secure full WHO validation of Nigeria’s elimination strategy, positioning the country as a public health leader in Africa.
The launch event also brought together government officials, industry stakeholders, and public health experts, who pledged support for the enforcement drive. By early 2026, NAFDAC will begin strict monitoring and penalties for non-compliance.
