The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed a bakery in Sokoto for using unfortified sugar and banned bromate, News About Nigeria reports.
The enforcement action was confirmed by NAFDAC State Coordinator Garba Adamu in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.
During a special raid conducted by agency officials, it was discovered that the bakery was utilising saccharine, an unregistered foreign sugar, as a sweetener, alongside the banned bromate in their products.
Adamu explained, “The items were seized for destruction, and the bakery is shut down until it complies with regulations and directives.”
Adamu said that only fortified, registered sugar containing vitamin A and other micronutrients are permitted for sale and consumption in Nigeria.
“This is a federal government policy enforced by NAFDAC and other government agencies to ensure that consumers receive maximum nutritional and health benefits from produced products,” he said.
In addition to the closure, six other bakeries were sanctioned for poor hygiene practices during routine inspection visits led by enforcement officer Buhari Manzo.
Adamu stated, “Bakeries are monitored to ensure they do not use saccharine or other banned items as substitutes for fortified regulated ingredients.”
Producers were cautioned against using adulterated, counterfeit, unregistered, and expired items, with Adamu reiterating NAFDAC’s commitment to continuous enforcement.
The coordinator announced plans to extend the operation to local government areas to ensure hygienic food and proper products are in circulation.
Adamu urged the public to avoid unregistered products and to report any suspicious practices or contaminations to NAFDAC.
He reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to safeguarding the nation’s health.
