Nigeria House Committee seeks tougher food safety laws

The Nigerian House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security is calling for stricter food safety laws and more rigorous enforcement to combat toxic chemicals, adulterated products, and unsafe agricultural practices. During a media briefing in Abuja to mark World Food Day 2026, the committee highlighted that while many policies exist, there is a critical lack of enforceable legislation to protect citizens.

Lawmakers expressed concern over rising rates of malnutrition, stunting, wasting, and anaemia, as well as public health risks like kidney and liver diseases linked to unsafe food production. The committee is currently working on legislation to establish the Nutritionist Registration Council of Nigeria to regulate the profession. Additionally, efforts are being made to protect local food systems, ensure the proper use of agricultural intervention funds, and shield children from the aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods.