NAFDAC lists four things to check before buying packaged food

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria has advised consumers to read food labels before purchasing packaged food products. This recommendation was made in the first installment of NAFDAC's #NAFDACExplains series, which was shared on the agency's official X handle. The agency defines packaged food as any food product sealed or wrapped in containers or packages before being sold, such as bread, biscuits, instant noodles, bottled drinks, and sachet or canned milk.

Food safety expert Abubakar Umar from NAFDAC's Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate emphasized that consumers should focus on the food label rather than the brand, packaging, or price. The label provides crucial information that helps make informed decisions about food safety and health for individuals and their families.

Umar advised checking the date marking to confirm the product's shelf life, reading the ingredient list, particularly if there are allergies or dietary restrictions, reviewing the nutrition information panel for details on nutrients like sugar, salt, fat, and protein, and verifying the NAFDAC registration number to ensure the product has undergone NAFDAC's registration process.

NAFDAC highlighted these four key factors—date marking, ingredient list, nutrition information panel, and NAFDAC registration number—as critical for consumers to consider before buying packaged food. The agency stressed that a brief examination of the label can lead to informed decisions for personal and family health.