NAFDAC FOOD PRODUCT ADVERTISEMENT REGULATIONS
Regulation · Health
Regulations require NAFDAC approval for all food product advertisements to ensure they are truthful and not misleading. They target food manufacturers and advertising agencies to enforce accurate claims about nutrition and health benefits. This protects consumers from deceptive marketing.
What Is This Policy?
Regulations requiring pre-approval by NAFDAC of all advertisements for food products registered in Nigeria, setting standards for truthfulness, accuracy, and the prohibition of claims that could mislead consumers about a product's nutritional value or health benefits.
Who Does It Target?
Food manufacturers and brand owners Advertising agencies and media houses NAFDAC as the reviewing authority
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
To prevent misleading food advertisements, particularly those making unsupported health or nutrition claims, protect consumers from deceptive marketing, and ensure that food advertising meets public health standards.
Key Features
Pre-Approval Requirement: All food product advertisements must receive NAFDAC clearance before broadcast or publication. Prohibited Claims: Advertisements may not claim disease prevention, treatment, or cure for food products unless clinically proven. Nutritional Accuracy: Nutritional content claims in advertisements must match the approved product label. Children's Advertising Rules: Additional restrictions apply to food advertisements directed at children. Penalties: Withdrawal of advertisement approval, product seizure, and fines for non-compliance.
Current Status
How to Access
Submit advertisement scripts, storyboards, or print materials to NAFDAC for review Pay the prescribed advertisement review fee Await written clearance before publishing or broadcasting Application method: NAFDAC headquarters, Abuja
Important Terms
Approved advertisements must not be altered without re-submission Clearance applies to a specific advertisement and medium Unapproved advertisements may be pulled from air or print without notice
Official Resources
Website: www.nafdac.gov.ng Policy Summary Document | Federal Republic of Nigeria
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 on the Advertising Standards Organisation of Nigeria Code, the National Broadcasting Commission Act 1992, and the Consumer Protection Council Act 2004 on misleading commercial communications.