Nigeria dairy stakeholders call for clearer product classification, labelling standards

NIGERIA – Dairy industry stakeholders have called for clearer product classification and labelling standards in Nigeria, saying regulatory consistency is vital to consumer protection, fair competition and the growth of the local dairy industry.

The call came at a national roundtable convened by the Danish Dairy Board, the Royal Danish Consulate-General and Dairy Business Partners to mark World Food Day. 

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said Nigeria’s dairy sector could support food and nutrition security, rural livelihoods, employment and industrial growth, but stressed that expanding local production must be matched by transparent regulation.

He said clear standards would help consumers understand the products they buy while ensuring that producers, processors, importers and distributors operate under predictable requirements. 

He also highlighted the need for effective quality assurance to address substandard products and protect human and animal health.

Senior Project Manager at the Danish Dairy Board, Lars Jensen, said collaboration among government, industry and other partners was essential to improving public understanding of dairy products and their nutritional value.

He identified accurate labelling as a key part of that effort, noting that clear information on ingredients, nutritional content and product categories would help consumers make informed choices and reduce confusion in the market.

Head of Nutrition, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Chinyere Ikejiofor, said dairy labels must accurately reflect products’ nature and composition to prevent consumers from being misled.

She said Nigeria’s pre-packaged food labelling regulations require information such as product names, ingredients, dates, storage conditions, manufacturer details, country of origin and batch identification, alongside nutritional information.

The roundtable also highlighted the need for better coordination among regulatory institutions to address inconsistencies affecting dairy production, imports and marketing. 

Stakeholders said clearer requirements and sustained government-industry engagement would strengthen compliance, protect consumers and support the development of Nigeria’s dairy sector.

This move comes as the Kaduna State Government identified year-round production of quality livestock feed as a key strategy to sustain gains in the state’s dairy sector under the five-year Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN) programme.

To receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, the Middle East and around the world, SUBSCRIBE HERE.