By Public health experts and advocacy groups are raising red flags over Nigeria’s latest effort to combat anemia by fortifying bouillon cubes with iron—warning the move could worsen the country’s diet-related disease crisis.
Bouillon cubes like Maggi are used daily in most Nigerian households to enhance meals. While the new iron-fortification policy aims to reduce widespread anemia, health advocates argue that targeting an already high-sodium product may backfire.
“Nigeria already has a salt iodisation programme,” said Bukola Olukemi-Odele, Programme Officer for Cardiovascular Health at the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA). “Adding iron to bouillon cubes, which are already high in sodium, could increase sodium intake and heighten the risk of hypertension and other NCDs.”
At a press briefing in Abuja, CAPPA and civil society allies called for a rethink of the policy. They noted that though iron deficiency—especially in women and children—is a major concern, food fortification must be context-sensitive. Nigeria is already struggling to reduce sodium intake by 30% in the next five years, a goal that this policy could undermine.
While food fortification is globally supported by the WHO, experts insist it should align with broader health goals like reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As an alternative, countries such as India and the U.S. have adopted double-fortified salt—enriched with both iodine and iron—without spreading sodium risk across multiple food products.
Despite years of mandatory fortification of items like salt, wheat flour, and sugar, malnutrition in Nigeria persists. Most Nigerians rely on unprocessed local staples, which often aren’t fortified, weakening the reach of such policies.
Critics also accuse food companies of using fortification as a marketing ploy to push ultra-processed foods. Without strong regulation and clear labeling—as practiced in countries like the UK—Nigerian consumers are left in the dark.
Olukemi-Odele stressed the need for inter-agency cooperation. “Policy decisions must serve public health, not corporate interest,” she said. “We need strategies that reflect the realities of Nigerian diets and address malnutrition without increasing the risks of NCDs.”
As Nigeria tackles the dual burden of malnutrition and rising NCDs, health experts urge that fortification strategies be guided by evidence and public interest—not commercial influence.
