The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered Nigerians to strictly inspect food labels before buying or eating packaged foods.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued this warning on Friday during the official launch of the "Read the Food Label Campaign" in Abuja.

Prof. Adeyeye revealed that reckless consumption of foods packed with hidden sugars, salt, saturated fats, and trans fats is directly driving up lethal health conditions across Nigeria. These include:Hypertension, Diabetes, Obesity, Cardiovascular diseases.

The new safety campaign, built alongside key development partners, aims to rapidly boost nutrition literacy nationwide. NAFDAC insists that understanding ingredient lists must transition from an afterthought into an everyday, life-saving routine for all citizens.

"The ability of consumers to understand, interpret, and apply information on food labels has never been more important," Prof. Adeyeye emphasized, noting that clear awareness will drastically slash the country`s heavy burden of preventable, diet-related illnesses.