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 State, James Kigbu, gave the warning during a one-day sensitisation programme for master bakers in the Minna Emirate on regulatory compliance.
The agency also cautioned bakers against using unapproved labels and advertisements on their products.
He also warned that the use of banned bread improvers and unauthorised labels could lead to the immediate closure of bakeries, as well as other sanctions, including administrative fines and prosecution.
He stressed that compliance with regulatory requirements was crucial to ensuring that bread and other baked products were produced, packaged and distributed in line with established standards to protect public health.
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 unaware of any of its members using banned substances, urging bakers to maintain proper hygiene and adhere to government regulations.
NAFDAC threatens to shut bakeries over banned bread improvers