By Joy Yesufu
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned bakers in Niger State against using banned substances, including potassium bromate and saccharin, in bread production.
The agency also cautioned bakers against the use of unapproved labels and advertisements on their products, warning that violations could attract sanctions ranging from administrative fines to prosecution and closure of affected bakeries.
The NAFDAC Coordinator in Niger State, James Kigbu, gave the warning during a one-day sensitisation programme for master bakers in the Minna Emirate on regulatory compliance.
Kigbu said compliance with regulatory requirements was essential to ensuring that bread and other baked products were produced, packaged and distributed in accordance with established standards.
He urged bakers to maintain proper hygiene, observe food safety practices, use only approved ingredients and comply with NAFDAC’s labelling requirements.
According to him, “Bakers must adhere to good hygiene and food safety practices, use only approved ingredients and comply with NAFDAC labelling requirements.”
He warned that the use of prohibited bread improvers and unauthorised labels could result in the immediate closure of bakeries, in addition to other regulatory sanctions.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Master Bakers Association of Niger State, Silvanus Umeh, said concerns among consumers over the quality and source of bread had prompted the association to strengthen its monitoring of members.
Umeh said the association conducted regular visits to bakeries and collected bread samples for laboratory analysis to ascertain compliance with regulatory standards.
He, however, said the association was not aware of any of its members using prohibited substances, while urging bakers to maintain proper hygiene and comply with applicable regulations.
The sensitisation programme was aimed at improving bakers’ understanding of regulatory requirements and promoting safer production practices in the state.
