The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced an 18-month grace period, giving food companies until early 2026 before full enforcement begins on regulations aimed at eliminating industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA).
This initiative, introduced as a comprehensive strategy and roadmap for TFA regulation, marks a shift from merely having policies in place to actively enforcing a world-class standard that limits industrially produced trans fats to no more than two grams per 100 grams of total fat or oil.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted that this roadmap moves Nigeria beyond policy formulation towards robust enforcement and implementation.
The announcement was made in Adeyeye’s keynote speech, shared on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday.
Adeyeye underscored the moral urgency of the agency’s mission, stating, “Removing industrially produced trans fats from the food supply is not just a technical milestone but a moral imperative.”
She emphasized that eliminating industrially produced trans fats is feasible, necessary, and urgent, and called for nationwide collaboration to achieve this goal.
The 18-month moratorium allows manufacturers to use up existing stock with outdated labeling and reformulate their products to meet the legal trans fat limits.
NAFDAC’s move targets a significant dietary risk factor linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and premature death worldwide.
Adeyeye reiterated the importance of the initiative, saying, “The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement but a moral imperative.”
This proactive measure builds on Nigeria’s already strong standing, with the World Health Organization recognizing the country in 2023 for adopting best-practice policies on TFA elimination.
The new roadmap is essential for Nigeria to secure WHO validation of its complete TFA elimination program, further establishing the nation as a leader in regional public health efforts.
