Nigeria Loses $3.6bn Annually To Foodborne Illnesses

The federal government has decried the rate of food fraud and unethical preparation practices in Nigeria, stating that the country loses an estimated $3.6 billion each year to foodborne illnesses through lost productivity, medical expenses, and trade limitations.

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, stated this on Thursday at the official launch of the Food Safety Operational Manual for Food Business Operators, in Abuja.

Represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NIBRRI), Samson Duna, the minister described unsafe food as a “silent epidemic” plaguing Nigeria, contributing to over 200,000 deaths annually, many of them children.

The new manual, he said, is a national blueprint designed to tackle the crisis head-on by improving food safety in informal and formal food environments.

“This is more than a document. It is a commitment to save lives, rebuild trust in our food systems, and restore public health. Food safety is not a privilege, it is a right,” the minister said.

The manual, produced by the Nigerian Council for Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST), aims to empower local government food inspectors, safety desk officers, and vendors, particularly in markets, street food outlets, and roadside kiosks, with practical, science-based tools for safe food handling.

From adulterated red oil laced with Sudan IV dye to paracetamol-laced meat, and cassava fermented in detergent, Nigeria’s food landscape is rife with practices that health experts warn are driving a surge in non-communicable diseases such as cancer, kidney failure, and liver cirrhosis.

The manual directly addresses these issues, offering guidelines for enforcement, hygiene, and consumer protection.

The Registrar and CEO of Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST), Veronica Ezeh, noted that food fraud and unethical preparation practices, often driven by ignorance and poverty, have become a major public health emergency.

“These acts are worse than armed robbery. They lead to slow, agonising deaths and must be treated as criminal offences,” she said.

The Criminal Code Act (Sections 243 and 244) classifies sale of toxic or diseased food as an offence against public health, punishable by up to two years in prison.

However, enforcement remains weak, with many local government authorities failing to employ licensed food professionals as constitutionally required.

Also speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate said the initiative aligns with the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its Implementation Plan (2023).

He emphasised that the training programme would empower experts to strengthen food monitoring and regulation at all levels.

“This manual is designed for the intensive training of our food scientists and food scientific officers. It will empower them with the latest scientific and technical skills, ensuring they are fully equipped to oversee and enhance food safety practices across Nigeria,” he stated.