The Hidden Burden Behind Nigeria’s Fortified Bouillon Cubes

The latest transfer to fortify bouillon cubes with iron, aimed toward lowering anemia, is drawing criticism from public well being specialists who worry the technique might backfire, worsening the nation’s wrestle with diet-related ailments.

Bouillon cubes (Maggi) are a staple in most Nigerian houses, used each day to boost taste in meals. However latest efforts to counterpoint these cubes with iron to fight anemia are elevating alarms amongst public well being advocates, who warn that the transfer could deepen the nation’s burden of diet-related non-communicable ailments (NCDs).

The Company Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), alongside a coalition of civil society organisations, has taken a agency stand in opposition to the coverage, questioning each its efficacy and its potential well being penalties. Whereas iron deficiency stays a critical concern in Nigeria, notably amongst girls and youngsters, specialists argue that fortifying high-sodium meals like bouillon cubes could do extra hurt than good.

“Nigeria already has a salt iodisation programme,” stated Programme Officer for Cardiovascular Well being at CAPPA, Bukola Olukemi-Odele, “Including iron to bouillon cubes, that are already excessive in sodium, might enhance sodium consumption and heighten the danger of hypertension and different NCDs.”

Olukemi-Odele shared these issues at a latest press briefing in Abuja, organised by CAPPA to highlight the general public well being dangers of the fortification coverage. She famous that whereas iodine fortification has helped cut back deficiency-related problems, it has additionally contributed to greater sodium consumption, a rising concern in a rustic the place NCDs are on the rise.

The Nigerian authorities has set a objective to cut back sodium consumption by 30 per cent throughout the subsequent 5 years. Public well being advocates worry that fortifying one other salty product might undermine this goal, resulting in higher long-term healthcare prices and a better illness burden.

Globally, meals fortification is a well-established technique endorsed by well being authorities just like the World Well being Organisation (WHO). By enriching generally consumed meals with important nutritional vitamins and minerals, governments goal to shut dietary gaps. But, for such methods to work successfully, specialists insist they should be context-sensitive and aligned with broader public well being priorities—together with sodium discount and NCD prevention.

One promising different, already adopted by international locations reminiscent of India and the US, is the double fortification of salt with each iodine and iron. This strategy addresses micronutrient deficiencies with out spreading sodium throughout a number of meals sources.

Regardless of greater than twenty years of necessary meals fortification in Nigeria together with salt, wheat flour, sugar, and edible oils malnutrition stays a persistent problem. In accordance with the 2021 Nationwide Meals Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS), most Nigerians devour unprocessed, regionally produced staples. These meals, whereas reasonably priced and accessible, are sometimes not fortified—elevating questions in regards to the attain and impression of present fortification insurance policies.

Critics additionally fear that meals producers are utilizing fortification as a advertising gimmick to advertise ultra-processed merchandise. With out sturdy regulation and clear labeling, they argue, shoppers are left susceptible. In contrast to international locations just like the UK, the place front-of-pack warning labels are normal, Nigeria lacks such client safety measures.

The accountability for navigating this delicate steadiness lies with the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare and associated businesses. Olukemi-Odele emphasised the necessity for inter-agency coordination, particularly amongst these dealing with diet, meals security, and client safety.

“Coverage choices should serve public well being, not company curiosity,” she stated. “We want methods that replicate the realities of Nigerian diets and tackle malnutrition with out growing the dangers of NCDs.”

As Nigeria confronts its twin burden of malnutrition and non-communicable ailments, the alternatives made as we speak will form the well being of hundreds of thousands tomorrow. Fortification, although well-intentioned, should be carried out with care and with the general public’s greatest curiosity at coronary heart.