Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has provided a regulatory framework for the regulation of wheat semolina, whole wheat semolina, durum wheat semolina and whole durum wheat semolina manufactured, imported, exported, advertised, sold, distributed or used in Nigeria. The regulations specify the quality requirements, permitted food additives and sets maximum levels for heavy metals, Ochratoxin A contaminants in the products to protect consumer health and safety.

The NAFDAC Tea and Related Products Regulations 2025 set standards for the production, labelling, packaging, and sale of tea in Nigeria. They define categories such as black, green, oolong, white, yellow, matcha, Pu-erh, instant, decaffeinated, flavoured teas, and related products, alongside compositional and heavy metal limits to ensure quality and safety. The regulations also require proper labelling, mandate registration before sale, and impose strict penalties - including fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of assets for non-compliance.

The NAFDAC Tomato Mix Regulations 2025 establish requirements for the manufacture, import, export, advertisement, sale, and distribution of tomato mix products in Nigeria.Key content:Scope and IngredientsApplies only to tomato mix, not to tomato sauce, ketchup, or dried tomatoes;Essential ingredients: tomato concentrate, sodium chloride, dietary fibre;Optional ingredients (limited by Good Manufacturing Practice) include starches, acidulants, sugars, thickening agents, flavour enhancers, antioxidants, and approved colourings.Quality and Safety StandardsTomato mix must have good flavour, odour, homogenous texture, and be free from peels, seeds, or extraneous matter;Specific physicochemical standards include pH Sets maximum limits for microbiological contaminants (e.g., absence of Salmonella, E. coli), heavy metals (e.g., Pb ≤ 1.0 mg/kg), and mycotoxins (e.g., total aflatoxins ≤ 10 ppb).Labelling and PackagingMust comply with Pre-packaged Food Labelling Regulations;Label must declare the percentage of Natural Tomato Soluble Solids (NTSS);Differentiates between “Tomato Mix” (without spices) and “Tomato Mix Seasoning” (with spices/flavours);Packaging must prevent leaching and microbial contamination.Prohibitions and RegistrationTomato mix cannot be manufactured, imported, or sold without registration by NAFDAC.Offences and PenaltiesIndividuals: imprisonment up to 1 year or fine up to ₦800,000 (or both);Corporate bodies: fines up to ₦5,000,000;Directors, managers, or officers of offending companies may be held personally liable;Convicted persons forfeit assets or property derived from the offence.Enforcement and MiscellaneousNAFDAC is the enforcing agency;Provides definitions (e.g., tomato concentrate, tomato mix) and citations.The regulation ensures that tomato mix products in Nigeria meet strict ingredient standards, quality specifications, safety limits, and labelling requirements, while also enforcing mandatory registration and penalties to protect consumer health and promote fair trade.

The Regulation, issued by NAFDAC under its statutory powers, establishes a framework for reducing sodium in processed and pre-packaged foods in Nigeria. It covers labelling, sodium content limits, health claims, enforcement, offenses and penalties.  The NAFDAc Reduction of Sodium in Pre-packaged Foods Regulations 2025 sets mandatory sodium content limits across key food categories (e.g, bread, noodles, cheese, bouillon, canned seafood, snacks) and requires clear labelling of sodium per serving or per 100g/ 100ml. It also regulates sodium-related health claims, prohibits products exceeding limits and imposes penalties (fines, imprisonment, or forfeiture) to ensure compliance and protect public health.

The draft regulation is being withdrawn to enable Nigeria effect amendments that will bring more clarity and address identified ambiguities while also taking into account concerns raised by the United States of America before resubmission.