Stakeholders in the Trans Fat-Free Nigeria Campaign have lauded the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for their partnership and commitment to the #TransfatFreeNigeria campaign.
The stakeholders comprise of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), and the World Health Organization (WHO)
At a meeting with the Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye and top officials of the agency, which was called at the instance of NHED to deliberate on the status of the draft of the Fat and Oils Regulations 2019 and the Pre-Packaged, Ice and Labelling Regulations of 2019. Participants also explored opportunities for working with the agency and other critical stakeholders on how to seek viable alternatives to the use of Industrially produced Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) in Nigeria’s food system.
In 2019, the regulatory agency made a draft of the two regulations available on its website for comments from the public. The approval of the regulations has however been delayed due to the COVID19 pandemic which has taken centre stage in government engagements.
At the virtual meeting, Prof. Adeyeye highlighted the efforts the agency had put in place to ensure that the regulations are passed and effectively enforced. She commended the Transfat free Nigeria campaign stakeholders for the sustained efforts to see the regulations passed and encouraged them to continue the work with relevant departments of the agency to achieve the campaign objectives.
In statement by Prudence Eboagwu-Ijah, Programme Manager, Trans Fat Free Nigeria Campaign at CAPPA said Prof Adeyeye told the stakeholders that the draft regulations will go through some processes before its approval by the board and assured that in no distant time the approval and final gazetting of these regulations will occur.
