By Our Reporter
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reassured Nigerians that genetically modified organism (GMO) foods are not harmful to human health, provided safety standards are met. However, the agency emphasized the importance of proper labelling to give consumers informed choices.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said:
> “GMOs, when it comes to food, are not bad for us. Their safety depends on the type of food and whether all necessary safety considerations have been addressed.”
Prof. Adeyeye, a pharmacist and academic, stressed that consumers should be able to identify GMO foods easily through appropriate labelling.
“The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is responsible for ensuring the safety of GMO foods. We work closely with them,” she added.
When asked how Nigerians can make healthier food choices, the NAFDAC boss advised citizens to always read product labels.
> “I’m very particular about what I eat. I want to know that what I’m consuming will promote good health. I always check the labels. I want to see the NAFDAC registration number or confirmation that it’s a genetically modified product,” she said.
“Even before my time at NAFDAC, when I had more time for shopping, I was always cautious. GMO products should be clearly labelled so consumers can make informed decisions. Some products are labelled ‘organic’—others should be labelled accordingly.”
Her remarks come amid growing public debate over the safety and quality of GMO foods sold in Nigerian markets. While NAFDAC oversees the approval and monitoring of food products, Adeyeye noted that other regulatory bodies also share the responsibility at the state level.
> “NAFDAC is mandated to ensure that all approved food products are safe, high-quality, and effective. That’s why our collaboration with NBMA is very strong. Without their confirmation that proper lab tests and reviews have been done, NAFDAC cannot approve GMO foods,” she explained.
This position aligns with that of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), which last month sought to dispel public fears regarding GMO foods.
Speaking at a sensitisation workshop in Abuja, NBRDA Director-General, Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha, told members of the House of Representatives Press Corps that GMO crops are critical to addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges and increasing agricultural productivity.
“In today’s digital age, the distortion of facts poses a major obstacle to public acceptance of science,” the agency said.
“Misinformation about GMOs has fueled skepticism and slowed the adoption of technologies that could significantly improve lives.”