NAFDAC Cocoa and Cocoa Product Regulations 2019
Regulation · Trade
Policy date: 2019-01-01
Regulations set quality, safety, and labelling standards for cocoa products manufactured or imported in Nigeria. They target cocoa processors and importers to ensure compliance with compositional requirements. This protects consumers from unsafe products.
NAFDAC Cocoa and Cocoa Product Regulations 2019
What Is This Policy?
Regulations that set quality, safety, labelling, and compositional standards for cocoa beans, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, chocolate, and all cocoa-derived products manufactured, imported, or sold in Nigeria.
Who Does It Target?
Cocoa processors and chocolate manufacturers Importers of cocoa products Cocoa farmers and cooperatives NAFDAC registration and inspection officers
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Protect consumers by ensuring that all cocoa and cocoa products meet defined quality and safety standards, and that product labelling accurately reflects contents and composition.
Key Features
Compositional Standards: Minimum and maximum levels for cocoa solids, fat content, and permitted ingredients Contaminant Limits: Maximum residue levels for pesticides, heavy metals, and mycotoxins Labelling: Mandatory declarations including cocoa content percentage, allergens, and nutritional information Hygiene Standards: Good manufacturing practice requirements for cocoa processing facilities Registration: All cocoa products must be registered with NAFDAC before marketing
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All cocoa and cocoa products in Nigeria Lead Agency: NAFDAC Enforcement: NAFDAC inspection and laboratory testing
How to Access
Manufacturers and importers must register products with NAFDAC. Submit product registration applications with compositional data Undergo facility inspection Comply with labelling requirements
Official Resources
Website: nafdac.gov.ng Contact: NAFDAC, Abuja
Legal Framework
The NAFDAC Cocoa and Cocoa Products Regulations 2019 are issued under the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act, which grants NAFDAC authority to regulate food products. They operate alongside the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act, the Consumer Protection Council Act, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Act (on export quality). International alignment is with the Codex Alimentarius Standards for Cocoa Products and Chocolate (CODEX STAN 87) and the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).