The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned bakers in Niger State against the use of banned substances, particularly potassium bromate and saccharin, as well as unapproved labels and advertisements in bread production.
The NAFDAC State Coordinator in Niger, James Kigbu, issued the warning at a one-day sensitisation programme for master bakers in the Minna Emirate on regulatory compliance.
Kigbu said the use of banned bread improvers and unauthorised labels could attract the immediate closure of bakeries and other stiff sanctions, including administrative fines and prosecution.
He stressed that compliance with regulatory requirements was essential to ensuring that bread and other baked products were produced, packaged and distributed in line with established standards to safeguard 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 consumers were increasingly concerned about the source and quality of the bread they purchased, adding that the association had been monitoring its members through bakery visits and discreet sample collection for laboratory analysis to ensure compliance with regulations.
He said the association had no knowledge of its members using banned substances, while urging bakers to maintain proper hygiene and comply with government regulations.
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Editor: Ada Ononye
