EC Nutrition

The marketing of foods high in total sugars contributes to unhealthy diets, which are a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and dental caries. The eligibility of marketing of sweet biscuits to children in Nigeria is yet to be assessed. The WHO nutrient profile model has been developed to implement recommendations on marketing of foods and non- alcoholic beverages to children by identifying unhealthy foods that should be subject to restricted marketing. Results from the second Global Nutrition Policy Review (GNPR2, 17) indicated that Nigeria is yet to implement measures to control the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children. The purpose of this study is to assess the eligibility of sweet biscuits for marketing to children in Nigeria by comparing their amount of total sugar with the corresponding threshold in the nutrient profile model for the WHO African Region. Data on total sugars from on-pack nutrient declaration panels of the labels of a total of seventy-six (76) cookies and other sweet biscuits randomly collected and most commonly available in major open markets and supermarkets in almost all the States of the Federation, with exception to savoury biscuits and crackers, were analyzed. The average sugar content of the sweet biscuits was estimated by this study to be 30.0g (on a per 100g basis). This exceeds the corresponding sugar threshold set in the nutrient profile model. Hence, sweet biscuits are not eligible for marketing to children. The nutrient profile model for the WHO African Region should be adopted or adapted as a national policy to regulate the marketing of sweet biscuits in Nigeria and encourage their reformulation.

 Keywords: Nutrient Profile Model; Sugars; Sweet Biscuits; Pre-Packaged Food Labelling Regulations; Restricted Marketing

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