Nigeria House Reps: Push For Stronger Food Chemical Law

• Nigeria's House of Representatives is advocating for more stringent food safety laws and enforcement to combat toxic chemicals and adulterated food.
• The House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security highlighted the failure of current policies to address widespread malnutrition and food insecurity.
• New legislative efforts include advancing a bill, which has passed its second reading, to establish a Nutritionist Registration Council and advancing a National Nutrition Bill sponsored by the Presidency.
• An ongoing investigation by the committee is scrutinizing the alleged misuse of government agricultural intervention funds.
• Experts are calling for thorough investigations into agricultural inputs and a shift towards organic farming to safeguard public health.

The committee emphasized that ensuring every Nigerian has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food, from conception to old age, must be a priority addressed through all available legislative means.

The Nigerian House of Representatives has initiated a strong call for more rigorous food safety legislation and enhanced enforcement mechanisms. This move aims to safeguard the populace from the dangers of toxic chemicals and adulterated food products, responding to growing concerns about malnutrition, food insecurity, and various diseases linked to unsafe food production practices.

The House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, through its chairman, Chike Okafor, whose remarks were delivered by clerk Dr. Agenti Milicent Millicent, asserted that existing policies have proven insufficient in tackling the nation's nutritional challenges. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, commemorating the 2026 World Food Day, the committee underscored the critical need for enforceable legislation to guarantee that all citizens have access to food that is not only safe and nutritious but also affordable. The event was co-organized by the Centre for Food Safety and Agriculture Research and LoveWorld Ministry of Food Technology and Sovereignty, under the theme "Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow."

Chairman Okafor articulated the committee's stance, stating, "We have many policies, but few enforceable laws," and urged for decisive legislative action to address the country's pressing food and nutrition issues. The committee emphasized that ensuring every Nigerian has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food, from conception to old age, must be a priority addressed through all available legislative means.

The House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security expressed significant alarm over persistent public health issues, including widespread malnutrition, stunting, wasting, and anaemia, alongside inadequate exclusive breastfeeding practices. The committee cautioned that current unsafe food production methods and the uncontrolled application of chemicals could exacerbate these health crises, potentially leading to severe conditions such as kidney and liver diseases.

In response, the committee is advocating for new legislation designed to protect local food systems, ensure the transparent and effective utilization of nutrition funds, and shield children from aggressive marketing tactics promoting unhealthy food items. Furthermore, the committee revealed its active involvement in advancing a bill, which has passed its second reading, to establish the Nutritionist Registration Council of Nigeria, an entity intended to regulate the profession of nutritionists across the country. Concurrently, efforts are underway to advance a National Nutrition Bill, which is sponsored by the Presidency through the Office of the Vice-President and is reportedly in an advanced stage, awaiting transmission to the National Assembly.

Beyond legislative proposals, the committee has launched an investigation into the alleged misuse of government agricultural intervention funds. This inquiry targets various agencies, schemes, and programs operating outside the direct purview of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. As part of this comprehensive investigation, the committee has engaged with key financial and agricultural institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and the National Agricultural Development Fund, among other relevant agencies.

The probe is particularly focused on concerns surrounding agricultural interventions, including the devastating ginger blight outbreak that severely impacted production in several parts of the country. This alleged link between agricultural inputs and the outbreak has raised critical questions regarding the oversight of farm support programs and the quality of materials supplied to farmers. While the investigation is ongoing, the committee has not yet disclosed its findings.

During the same event, Dr. Adebayo Segun, a prominent food safety advocate, reinforced the calls for accountability, urging a thorough investigation into both agricultural intervention programs and the chemicals utilized in food production. Dr. Segun issued a stark warning that poorly regulated inputs could significantly undermine both food security and public health across the nation.

He further advocated for a fundamental shift in agricultural practices, promoting the adoption of organic farming methods and the use of natural seeds. Dr. Segun also encouraged Nigerians to prioritize planting edible crops over ornamental plants where feasible, emphasizing that "Food safety concerns everyone, regardless of their religious affiliations or background." His remarks underscored the broad societal impact of food safety issues and the need for collective action.

Compliance officers and legal counsel in Nigeria's food and agriculture sectors should closely track the proposed food safety legislation and ongoing investigations into agricultural funds, as these will likely lead to new regulatory burdens and enforcement actions regarding chemical use and food quality.

Source: Reporting based on a recent statement from the Nigerian House of Representatives.