In her small, poorly lit kitchen, 56-year-old Idowu Bello is preparing a meal of eba, a starchy West African dish made from cassava root. Health issues forced the retired Nigerian woman to switch between cooking with gas or over a wood fire based on what fuel she can afford. Financial constraints make it difficult for Bello to provide a nutrient-rich diet as recommended by doctors for her weakening health and her daughter’s growth. Today’s menu includes melon soup with ponmo, an affordable condiment made from dried cowhide, as fish, meat, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and milk are expensive.
Public health advocates and the Nigerian government are introducing a code of standards to fortify bouillon cubes with iron, zinc, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to combat micronutrient deficiencies known as “hidden hunger.” While currently voluntary for manufacturers, implementing these standards could potentially prevent millions of cases of anemia and deaths from neural tube defects in Nigeria.
Several challenges have compounded the issue of malnutrition in Nigeria, with 79% of households facing food insecurity, according to a recent government survey. The climate crisis further threatens food security, with millions of children at risk of growth problems due to malnutrition by 2050. Dietary deficiencies in essential micronutrients have led to health crises in Nigeria, including high rates of anemia, neural tube defects, and stunted growth.
Amid Nigeria’s economic challenges, food insecurity is exacerbated, particularly for low-income earners. Globally, 3 billion people struggle to access healthy diets, with the majority in developing countries. Promoting fortified foods could provide a solution to enhance the nutritional content of staple foods in low-income countries and build resilience in vulnerable families.
Bouillon cubes, commonly used to flavor soups and stews in African countries, are identified as a cost-effective vehicle to deliver essential vitamins and minerals to millions of people. While Nigerian manufacturers have shown interest in fortifying their products, regulatory frameworks are being put in place to ensure compliance and make fortified cubes accessible and affordable to households in need.
Education about the benefits of fortified products is crucial to combat resistance and misinformation campaigns. The initiative to fortify bouillon cubes with essential micronutrients represents a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to address malnutrition. While current standards are voluntary, there are plans to make fortification mandatory once industry acceptance is established.
