NAFDAC NON NUTRITIVE SWEETENERS IN FOOD PRODUCTS REGULATION
Regulation · Agriculture
Regulations specify which non-nutritive sweeteners are permitted in food products in Nigeria, set maximum usage levels for different categories, and require proper labelling. They target food manufacturers, importers, and NAFDAC as the regulator. This ensures safe use of sweeteners and informs consumers about their presence.
What Is This Policy?
Regulations specifying which non-nutritive sweeteners (artificial sweeteners) are permitted in food products in Nigeria, the maximum usage levels allowed in different food categories, and the labelling requirements for products containing these substances.
Who Does It Target?
Food manufacturers using sweeteners in beverage, confectionery, dairy, and other food products Food importers bringing sweetener-containing products into Nigeria NAFDAC as the regulatory authority
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
To ensure that only approved, safe non-nutritive sweeteners are used in Nigerian food products at levels that do not pose health risks, and to guarantee that consumers are informed of the presence of artificial sweeteners through clear labelling.
Key Features
Approved Sweetener List: Lists permitted sweeteners including aspartame, acesulfame-K, saccharin, and sucralose with usage limits. Maximum Usage Levels: Prescribes the maximum concentration of each sweetener per food category. Label Disclosure: Products containing sweeteners must declare them in the ingredients list by name and INS number. Phenylketonuria Warning: Products containing aspartame must carry a warning for persons with phenylketonuria. Compliance Verification: NAFDAC may test products at registration and post-market to verify sweetener content.
Current Status
In force. Actively enforced by NAFDAC, with food manufacturers required to use only approved non-nutritive sweeteners at specified maximum usage levels for each food category.
Declare sweetener use in product registration dossiers Ensure formulations comply with permitted usage levels Update labels to comply with disclosure requirements Application method: NAFDAC headquarters, Abuja
Important Terms
Use of non-listed sweeteners is prohibited Exceeding maximum usage levels is an offence Non-compliant products are subject to recall and market withdrawal
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 Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) acceptable daily intake values for non-nutritive sweeteners, Codex Alimentarius standards, and SON food product standards for Nigeria.