NAFDAC threatens to shut bakeries over banned bread improvers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned bakers in Niger State against using banned substances, particularly potassium bromate and saccharin, in bread production.

 

The NAFDAC State Coordinator in Niger, James Kigbu, gave the warning during a one-day sensitisation programme for master bakers in the Minna Emirate on regulatory compliance.

 

Kigbu also cautioned bakers against using unapproved labels and advertisements on their products.

 

He warned that bakeries found using banned bread improvers or unauthorised labels could face immediate closure, administrative fines and prosecution.

 

The NAFDAC coordinator stressed that compliance with regulatory requirements was essential to ensuring that bread and other baked products were produced, packaged and distributed according to established standards.

 

According to him, “bakers must adhere to good hygiene and food safety practices, use only approved ingredients and comply with NAFDAC labelling requirements.”

 

The Chairman of the Master Bakers Association of Niger, Silvanus Umeh, said growing concerns among consumers over the quality and source of bread had prompted the association to strengthen its monitoring of members.

 

Umeh said the association conducts regular visits to bakeries and discreetly collects bread samples for laboratory analysis to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

 

He said the association was not aware of any of its members using banned substances, while urging bakers to maintain proper hygiene and comply with government regulations.