Nigeria: Experts Urge Mandatory Seasoning Cube Fortification

• Experts in Nigeria are urging the government to make seasoning cube fortification mandatory to combat widespread micronutrient deficiencies.
• The proposal specifically calls for the addition of vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B12 to bouillon cubes.
• A 2024 study found over 99% of Nigerian households consume bouillon, making it an ideal vehicle for nutrient delivery compared to other fortified foods.
• Despite existing fortification programs, a Nigeria-specific study revealed high rates of vitamin B12 inadequacy among women of reproductive age and young children.
• Currently, Nigeria has voluntary fortification standards for bouillon, but experts argue these do not ensure sufficient population-wide coverage.

Experts contend that voluntary adoption will not achieve the necessary population-wide coverage.

Nutrition and health experts in Nigeria are advocating for the mandatory fortification of seasoning cubes, also known as bouillon cubes, as a strategic measure to combat widespread micronutrient deficiencies across the nation. The specific proposal centers on the inclusion of vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B12 into these widely consumed household staples. This renewed push comes despite Nigeria's introduction of voluntary standards for bouillon fortification in 2024, which permit manufacturers to add vitamin B9, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and iodine.

However, experts argue that a voluntary approach is insufficient to ensure the comprehensive, population-wide coverage required to effectively address the public health challenge. They contend that voluntary adoption will not achieve the necessary population-wide coverage, prompting the call for a robust Nigerian bouillon cube fortification law. This legislative shift would impose new compliance obligations on Nigerian food manufacturers, particularly those producing seasoning cubes, necessitating potential adjustments to manufacturing processes and raising the specter of legal liabilities for non-adherence to future Nigeria food fortification standards.

The strategic focus on seasoning cubes is underpinned by compelling evidence of their pervasive use within Nigerian households. A 2024 study, published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, revealed that an astonishing 99% of Nigerian households consume bouillon. This figure starkly contrasts with the national consumption rates of less than 20% for branded wheat flour and under 1% for branded maize flour, highlighting the unique reach of seasoning cubes.

This widespread consumption positions bouillon as an exceptionally effective vehicle for delivering essential nutrients, particularly to households that existing fortification programs, which cover foods like flour and refined oil, may not reach equally due to differences in consumption across income groups and regions. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare's 2021 National Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Micronutrient Deficiencies had previously identified bouillon cubes as a potential candidate for voluntary micronutrient fortification, recommending further research into their use, including the feasibility of incorporating vitamin B9 and iron. An independent report by BioAnalyt further underscores their market penetration, estimating that over 100 million bouillon cubes are sold daily across Nigeria, citing studies on their extensive use throughout West Africa.

Experts emphasize the distinct advantages of utilizing seasoning cubes for fortification. Olusola Malomo, assistant director of dietetics at the Lagos State Health Service Commission, highlighted that these cubes provide a method to reach individuals across diverse income brackets without necessitating changes to their established dietary habits. Malomo also underscored their potential to deliver adequate folate to women before pregnancy, a critical period for preventing neural tube defects.

Odunayo Babatunde, a maternal and child health nutritionist, estimated that approximately 95% of Nigerians, including those in poorer households with limited access to other nutrient-rich foods, regularly use seasoning cubes. Babatunde further affirmed that vitamins B9 and B12 can be seamlessly integrated into dry seasoning cubes without altering their color, taste, or shelf life. This technical feasibility ensures that mandatory fortification would guarantee access to these vital vitamin B9 B12 fortification Nigeria benefits for even the most disadvantaged women through their regular home meals.

The renewed call for mandatory fortification underscores significant concerns that current food fortification programs are insufficient to close existing micronutrient gaps. A Nigeria-specific study indicated that, even with existing fortification efforts, vitamin B12 inadequacy remained a substantial public health issue. This inadequacy affected 42% of women of reproductive age and 39% of children aged six to 59 months.

Researchers estimated the overall vitamin B12 inadequacy at 75% among certain populations, highlighting the urgent need for more comprehensive and effective strategies to improve public health outcomes. The proposed Nigeria mandatory seasoning cube fortification aims to provide a broad-reaching solution where current Nigeria food fortification standards fall short, ensuring that essential nutrients reach a wider segment of the population.

Nigerian food manufacturers, particularly those producing seasoning cubes, should monitor legislative developments regarding the proposed mandatory fortification standards. This could lead to new compliance obligations, manufacturing process adjustments, and potential legal liabilities if not adhered to.

Source: Original reporting via PREMIUM TIMES