The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down a bakery in Sokoto for using unfortified sugar and banned bromate in their production. NAFDAC State Coordinator, Garba Adamu, reported this action following a special raid by agency officials. The bakery was found to be using saccharine, an unregistered foreign sugar, as a sweetener along with banned bromate. The items were seized for destruction, and the bakery will remain closed until it complies with regulations.
Adamu highlighted that only fortified registered sugar containing vitamin ‘A’ with micro-nutrients and other vitamins is permitted for sale and consumption in Nigeria. This enforcement aligns with Federal Government policy to ensure consumers receive maximum nutritional and health benefits from food products.
**Additional Enforcement Actions:**
– **Sanctions:** Six other bakeries were sanctioned for poor hygiene during routine inspections led by enforcement officer Mr. Buhari Manzo.
– **Monitoring:** Bakeries are regularly monitored to prevent the use of saccharine or other banned items instead of fortified regulated ingredients.
– **Ongoing Efforts:** NAFDAC will continue enforcement operations, extending efforts to local government areas to ensure hygienic food and proper products are available.
Adamu urged producers to avoid using adulterated, counterfeit, unregistered, and expired items. He called on the public to be cautious when purchasing unregistered products and to report any suspicious activities or contaminations to NAFDAC. The agency remains committed to safeguarding public health through stringent enforcement of food safety regulations.
