Choose Milk Roundtable: Stakeholders Push for Clearer Dairy Standards, Labelling

<em>L-R: Head of Nutrition, Food Safety, and Applied Nutrition, NAFDAC, Chinyere Ikejiofor; Country Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Dr. Michael Ojo; Senior Commercial Advisor Food, Agriculture, Healthcare & Special Products, Royal Danish Consulate General, Lagos, Ms. Victoria Epelle; Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha and Deputy Director, Nutrition Division, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Victoria Nsofor, during the Choose Milk Campaign’s Stakeholders Roundtable</em>

Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s dairy industry have called for greater clarity and consistency in dairy product standards and classification following a national roundtable convened by the Danish Dairy Board, the Royal Danish Consulate General and Dairy Business Partners, in commemoration of the 2026 World Food Day.

The roundtable brought together the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Federal Competition and Consumer, Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) and dairy industry representatives.

As part of industry dialogue under the Choose Milk campaign, the engagement provided a platform for government institutions, regulators, development partners and industry stakeholders to examine regulatory challenges affecting the Nigerian dairy market, particularly the need for clear and consistent definitions of dairy products, creamers and fat-filled milk, as well as appropriate classification within the existing regulatory framework.

Discussions centred on the importance of harmonising product definitions, improving regulatory clarity and ensuring that product labelling and categorisation enable consumers to make informed choices while supporting fair competition and responsible industry practices.

Speaking at the roundtable, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the roundtable provides an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among government institutions, regulatory agencies, development partners and industry stakeholders towards improving dairy product standards, classification and labelling.

“Nigeria’s dairy industry has significant potential to contribute to food and nutrition security, rural development, employment, livelihoods, industrial growth and the wider economy. Realising this potential requires more than increasing local milk production; it also depends on a transparent regulatory framework that promotes product safety, protects consumers, encourages investment and supports fair competition. Clear and consistent standards are necessary to help consumers understand the products they purchase and ensure that producers, processors, importers and distributors operate under predictable regulatory requirements.

“The challenge of counterfeit and substandard products also extends to other areas, including medicines and veterinary products. These concerns reinforce the need for effective regulation and quality assurance to protect both public health and animal health. Our objective is to promote regulatory clarity, protect consumer interests and create a fair and competitive market for all operators in the dairy sector.” he said

In his address, the Senior Project Manager at the Danish Dairy Board, Lars Jensen, noted that the deliberation is important because improving consumer awareness requires the contributions of different partners working towards a common goal.

He said “By combining funding, technical expertise and local knowledge, we can strengthen public understanding of dairy products and their nutritional value.

“One important aspect of this effort is product labelling. Clear and accurate labels help consumers understand what they are purchasing, identify product ingredients and nutritional information, and make informed choices based on their needs and purchasing power. Labelling also helps distinguish between different product categories, reduces confusion and builds consumer confidence in the market.

“Ultimately, our shared goal is to strengthen understanding of dairy nutrition through relevant local engagement. By working together, we can promote informed consumer choices, support greater transparency in the dairy market and contribute to improved nutrition awareness in Nigeria.”

The discussions also highlighted the importance of effective coordination among the institutions responsible for food safety, product standards, livestock development and public health, with the aim of reducing ambiguity for businesses, strengthening regulatory implementation and ensuring that consumers receive accurate information about the products they purchase.

Head of Nutrition, Food Safety, and Applied Nutrition, NAFDAC, Chinyere Ikejiofor, said: “The fundamental principle of food labelling, particularly for milk and dairy products, is to ensure that consumers are not misled. Product information must be clear and accurate, and products must not be described or presented in a manner that creates confusion about their nature, composition or characteristics.

“Nigeria’s pre-packaged food labelling regulations provide the foundation for the information that must appear on product labels. This includes the correct name and description of the product, an ingredient list arranged in descending order by weight, production and expiry or best-before dates, storage conditions, the manufacturer’s details, country of origin, batch or identification number, and other applicable information. Nutritional information is also a mandatory labelling requirement under NAFDAC’s current framework.”

The roundtable further reinforced the role of sustained engagement between government and industry in addressing regulatory questions that affect the production, importation, marketing and consumption of dairy products