FG Raises Alarm as Unsafe Food Claims 53,000 Lives, Threatens Children’s Health
The Federal Government has raised concerns about the growing impact of unsafe food on children, revealing that foodborne diseases cause more than 53,000 deaths and nearly 50 million illnesses in Nigeria every year.
Speaking during a briefing to mark the 2026 World Food Safety Day in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, described food safety as a child protection and public health priority. He warned that unsafe food not only causes illness and death but also affects children’s growth, learning, and overall development.
According to the minister, children under five bear more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s foodborne disease burden. He noted that the country loses an estimated 4.26 million years of healthy life annually due to illnesses, disabilities, and premature deaths linked to unsafe food.
Salako explained that diarrhea diseases remain the most common food-related illnesses in Nigeria, accounting for more than 40 million cases each year. These infections, often caused by contaminated food and water, continue to contribute to malnutrition, hospitalization, and child mortality.
In addition, health authorities expressed concern over exposure to harmful chemical contaminants, including lead found in some food products and water sources. Such exposure can affect children’s physical and cognitive development, with long-term consequences for their wellbeing.
The government said strengthening food safety systems is essential to safeguarding children and protecting their right to survive, grow, and thrive. Officials called for improved hygiene practices, stronger food regulation, safer markets, and greater public awareness to reduce preventable illnesses.
Health experts also stressed that safe and nutritious food is fundamental to achieving better health outcomes for children and supporting their full developmental potential.
