Stakeholders unite to standardize fortified rice packaging, labelling standards in Nigeria

NIGERIA – Efforts to scale up the availability and consumption of fortified rice in Nigeria have received a boost, following a two-day technical workshop held in Lagos focused on compliant and consumer-friendly packaging and labelling.

The event brought together rice millers, regulatory agencies, and development partners as part of the wider push under the Promoting Rice Fortification in Nigeria (PRiFN) project, led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with support from the World Food Programme (WFP).

The workshop was convened by TechnoServe through its Millers for Nutrition initiative, in partnership with WFP, Partners in Food Solutions, and dsm-firmenich. It focused on equipping participating rice processors with the tools and guidance necessary to design packaging for fortified rice that aligns with Nigeria’s regulatory standards while also appealing to market needs.

Six millers preparing to begin fortification, along with WACOT Rice Limited, producer of the fortified Big Bull brand, participated in the session.

Representatives from key regulatory bodies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), reviewed proposed packaging samples and provided technical input to support the regulatory approval process.

To enhance relevance to market realities, participants conducted a field visit to Delako Market in Mushin, Lagos, one of the country’s largest rice trading hubs, where they gathered insights from consumers and distributors on packaging preferences, demand drivers, and brand messaging.

Rice fortification, which involves enriching rice with micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and zinc, is gaining traction in Nigeria as a practical strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies, particularly among children and pregnant women.

The PRiFN project is working to build both supply and demand by supporting millers with capacity building, creating a supportive policy environment, and raising public awareness on the health benefits of fortified rice.

The packaging workshop complements other recent initiatives under PRiFN, including technical training sessions for rice processors and efforts to harmonize national branding guidelines. In November 2024, TechnoServe also organized a four-day training in Kano to support millers in meeting production quality requirements for rice fortification.

The broader objective is to create a sustainable, private sector–driven model that will expand the availability of fortified rice across the country.

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