World Heart Day: CAPPA demands sodium cuts, warning labels over bouillon fortification - The Guardian Nigeria News
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has urged the Federal Government to strengthen sodium-reduction measures, introduce mandatory front-of-pack warning labels and tighten regulation of unhealthy-food marketing, warning against making bouillon cube fortification a mandatory nutrition policy.
CAPPA made the demands in a statement signed by its Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to mark World Heart Day.
The organisation said government policies should make healthier food choices more accessible and reduce Nigerians’ exposure to excessive salt, sugar and unhealthy fats.
CAPPA said mandatory fortification could make bouillon cubes appear nutritionally healthier without addressing their sodium content. “Adding micronutrients to an unhealthy product does not make it healthy,” the organisation said.
CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the widespread consumption of bouillon cubes should not be used as justification for making them the preferred vehicle for delivering additional nutrients.
“The widespread use of bouillon cubes is not a justification for exposing consumers to more sodium or for presenting ultra-processed products as solutions to Nigeria’s nutrition challenges,” he said.
CAPPA called for stronger implementation of Nigeria’s sodium-reduction measures; mandatory, easy-to-understand front-of-pack warning labels; tighter regulation of unhealthy-food marketing; and greater access to affordable, nutritious and minimally processed foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains.
It also urged the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure that food and nutrition policies are guided by independent public-health evidence.
The organisation said adding vitamins and minerals to an ultra-processed product does not offset excessive sodium, sugar or unhealthy fats that may be present in it.
Citing its Junk on Our Plates report, based on monitoring across seven states, CAPPA said food and beverage companies increasingly use advertising, celebrity endorsements, cultural imagery, pricing strategies and product placement to promote products high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats.
It said excessive sodium intake was a particular concern because of its contribution to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
The World Health Organisation recommends that adults consume less than 2,000mg of sodium a day, equivalent to less than 5g of salt. World Heart Day is observed every September 29, with this year’s theme, “Don’t Miss a Beat,” focusing on recognising overlooked signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease early.
Oluwafemi said protecting cardiovascular health required attention not only to treatment but also to the food environment. “Protecting the heart also involves protecting the food environment. Government must prioritise policies that make nutritious, minimally processed foods accessible and affordable, while reducing Nigerians’ exposure to excessive salt, sugar and unhealthy fats,” he said.
CAPPA said Nigeria’s nutrition policies should address micronutrient deficiencies without undermining efforts to improve diets and prevent non-communicable diseases.
It urged the government to ensure that efforts to tackle micronutrient deficiencies are evidence-based and do not inadvertently encourage greater reliance on ultra-processed foods.
