Although efforts by stakeholders in the Food Processing Industry to improve the nutritional value of edible oil, salt, sugar, wheat flour and other processed foods is commendable, ensuring full compliance to national standards will be required to shape national public health outcomes to attain desired levels, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

Prof. Osinbajo stated this Thursday at the 3rd Annual Nigeria Food Processing and Nutrition Leadership Forum, held virtually, and organized by the Aliko Dangote Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

According to the Vice President: “The Nigerian government is keen on driving collaborative efforts in enhancing national monitoring and enforcement of fortification quality standards.”

He praised the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organization of Nigeria and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for their innovative work in this regard through the Joint Regulatory Framework.

He said: “Industry Compliance with food fortification standards especially in Wheat Flour, Salt and Sugar has also improved.

“We however need to reach full compliance to be able to shape national public health outcomes to the extent that we desire.”

Food fortification is the practice of enriching processed foods by adding nutrients at higher levels than what the original food provides.

This is done to address micronutrient deficiencies across populations.

Commending the efforts of stakeholders in meeting set targets in food fortification, Prof. Osinbajo said: “The food systems within the processing sector are fitted for improved nutrition.

“We have an enormous opportunity here to reinforce the goal of sustainable food fortification in Nigeria.

“I am pleased to see that the average compliance rates to national fortification standards had increased from 50 per cent in 2018 to 75 per cent in 2019 and hit the 2020 target of 90 per cent.

“I believe this platform will continue to serve as an opportunity to review progress on an annual basis, and share lessons learned against fortification standards within their respective sectors.”

Speaking particularly about the ingenuity of stakeholders in addressing micronutrient deficiencies in Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo explained: “The Micronutrient Fortification Index is an interesting innovation that will motivate industries to self-regulate in meeting government standards for food fortification.

“The use of this tool should be adopted by all companies involved in fortification and I believe it should be made available to stakeholders and shareholders alike.

“We should be able to hold them accountable as they strive to meet industry benchmarks, including compliance with Nigerian Fortification Standards.

“Government regulatory agencies will definitely find the tool useful in support of industry regulation efforts and consumer expectations.