Evaluation of Nutrition Labelling Practices and Regulatory Compliance Among Food Manufacturers in Kano State, North West Nigeria

Nutrition labelling serves as an essential communication tool between food manufacturers and consumers, enabling informed food choices and supporting public health nutrition goals. In Nigeria, NAFDAC regulations mandate specific labelling requirements, yet compliance varies widely among manufacturers. This study evaluated nutrition labelling practices and regulatory compliance among food manufacturers in Kano State, North West Nigeria. A product audit design was employed, with 180 food products sampled from manufacturing facilities and retail outlets in Kano Metropolis. Each product was assessed against NAFDAC and Codex Alimentarius labelling standards across ten compliance indicators. Structured interviews were also conducted with quality assurance officers from 30 manufacturing firms. Data were analysed using compliance scoring indices and descriptive statistics. Results showed that energy and macronutrient declarations were present in 65 percent of assessed products, while micronutrient declarations, allergen information, and glycaemic index data were largely absent. Smaller manufacturers showed lower compliance rates across all indicators. A majority of quality assurance staff lacked formal training in labelling regulations. The study recommends that NAFDAC conduct more frequent manufacturer outreach workshops, streamline the labelling compliance process for small enterprises, and enforce penalties for persistent non-compliance to strengthen food label integrity in Kano State. Keywords: nutrition labelling, regulatory compliance, food manufacturers, Kano State, NAFDAC