Unsafe food kills 53,000 Nigerians annually, FG warns

The Federal Government has raised alarm over the severe impact of unsafe food in Nigeria, revealing that the issue contributes to more than 53,000 deaths and nearly 50 million illnesses each year. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, emphasized that food safety is a critical concern for national development and health security.

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Nigeria records nearly 50 million foodborne illnesses every year, and unsafe food causes more than 53,000 deaths annually in our country. Together, these illnesses and deaths result in a staggering 4.26 million years of healthy life lost to illness, disability or early death.

Salako stated that the consequences of unsafe food extend beyond immediate sickness and death, significantly impacting human capital, particularly among children. Nigeria loses an estimated 4.26 million years of healthy life annually due to foodborne diseases, encompassing illness, disability, and premature death. Children under five years old bear the brunt, accounting for over 80 percent of the total foodborne disease burden in the country.

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Most of this burden falls heavily on children under five, who account for more than 80 per cent of all foodborne disease burden in Nigeria. The true cost of unsafe food in Nigeria is not only measured in sickness and death, but also in the lost cognitive, physical and developmental potential of our children.

Diarrheal diseases, often caused by pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, are the leading cause of foodborne illnesses, with over 40 million cases linked to them. The minister also pointed to emerging concerns regarding chemical contaminants, such as lead, which is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths through contaminated food and water. Despite these challenges, Salako noted Nigeria's progress in strengthening its food safety system, citing improvements in recent evaluations.

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Over 40 million diarrhoeal illnesses in Nigeria are linked to foodborne pathogens. These infections continue to be a major cause of hospitalisation, malnutrition and mortality among our youngest citizens.