{
  "id": 169786,
  "title": "NAFDAC lists four things to check before buying packaged food",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/nafdac-lists-four-things-to-check-before-buying-packaged-food",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-05T10:34:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/nafdac-lists-four-things-to-check-before-buying-packaged-food/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nFood 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.",
  "summary": "NAFDAC advises Nigerians on packaged food safety. Learn the four crucial things to check on food labels before buying to make healthier choices. Read More: https://punchng.com/nafdac-lists-four-things-to-check-before-buying-packaged-food/",
  "key_points": [
    "NAFDAC advises consumers to read food labels before purchasing packaged food.",
    "Focus on date marking, ingredient list, nutrition information, and NAFDAC registration number.",
    "Label provides crucial information for food safety and health decisions."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}