Federal Government has raised alarm over escalating burden of foodborne diseases in Nigeria, warning that unsafe food continues to threaten public health and national productivity. According to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, the country records over 50 million foodborne illnesses and more than 53,000 deaths annually.
He stated this during a ministerial briefing in Abuja marking the 2026 World Food Safety Day themed “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.” He emphasized that food safety is not only a health issue but also a critical national development and security concern.
Salako warned that unsafe food imposes a heavy toll beyond illness and death, significantly affecting children under five, who account for over 80 percent of the burden. He added that millions of healthy life years are lost annually due to disability, illness, and premature death.
He further revealed that over 40 million diarrhoeal cases in Nigeria are linked to pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Shigella, Campylobacter, and rotavirus, making food safety a growing public health priority requiring urgent intervention. The Federal Government, alongside global health bodies, continues to intensify awareness and preventive measures to reduce foodborne illnesses and protect vulnerable populations, especially children, from avoidable health risks.
Authorities have therefore urged Nigerians to improve hygiene practices, strengthen food handling systems, and support regulatory enforcement as part of broader efforts to reduce the growing burden of foodborne diseases and safeguard public health across communities nationwide and beyond in Nigeria today now always.
