NAFDAC Food Additives Regulations
Regulation · Agriculture
Regulations define permitted food additives and their usage levels in Nigeria, aligning with international standards. They target food manufacturers, suppliers, importers, and inspectors. This protects public health by ensuring safe and transparent use of additives.
NAFDAC Food Additives Regulations
What Is This Policy?
Regulations that define the types, permitted levels, and conditions of use for food additives in products manufactured or sold in Nigeria, aligned with Codex Alimentarius international standards.
Who Does It Target?
Food manufacturers using additives Food additive suppliers and importers NAFDAC food safety inspectors Consumers
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Protect public health by ensuring that only safe food additives are used in permitted quantities and that their use is transparently declared on product labels.
Key Features
Permitted Additives: Positive list of approved food additives with assigned INS/E numbers Maximum Levels: Specific maximum use levels for each additive in different food categories Prohibited Substances: List of substances that may not be used as food additives Labelling: Food additives must be declared by their functional class and specific name or number Safety Assessment: New additives must undergo safety evaluation before approval
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All processed food products Lead Agency: NAFDAC
How to Access
Manufacturers must use only approved additives at permitted levels. Consult the approved additives list before product formulation Declare all additives on product labels New additives require NAFDAC approval before use
Official Resources
Website: nafdac.gov.ng Contact: NAFDAC, Abuja
Legal Framework
Issued under the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act 1993 (as amended), which empowers NAFDAC to make regulations, issue guidelines, and enforce standards. Operates alongside the Food and Drugs Act Cap F32 LFN 2004, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act 2015, and the Codex Alimentarius Commission standards adopted by Nigeria. Draws specifically on Codex Alimentarius General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) and WHO acceptable daily intake (ADI) standards for food additive safety assessment.