The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Thursday, shut down four unregistered bakeries in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers state South South Nigeria, for operating without licenses and in an unhygienic environment.
The NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt.
He said the discovery followed the agency’s bid to stamp out the prevalence of quack and substandard bakeries in the state and the zone in general.
Oligbu said after shutting down the bakeries, the owners were directed to the NAFDAC zonal office in Port Harcourt for questioning.
He, however, said, investigations were ongoing and warned that defaulters of the agency’s extant regulations risk prosecution and possible jail term if convicted.
The statement read, “The bakeries were operating without registration licenses and with very poor hygienic practice.
“Pans with dough were being kept on the floor, the makeshift buildings were with open and uncovered windows, and bakery workers were not well kitted with Personal Protective Equipment.
“Leister generator sets were sited inside the production rooms, and there was no factory flow, etc.”
The NAFDAC director said the bakeries shut include, “Reigns Bakery – Okabie Street, off Bakery Road, Rumuigbo in Ohio/Akpor LGA, Dvine Freedom bread – 3, Omasi Street, Rumuomasi Street I’m Port Harcourt.
The others are De Heroes Bakery – Wonda Street, Psychiatric Road in Ohio/Akpor LGA and The Lord’s Abundant Bakery – 5, Elder Ezebunwo Street off Obi Wali Road, Rumuigbo in Ohio/Akpor LGA.
“The four bakeries visited were subsequently shut down, and the owners were directed to report at the Zonal office for questioning while investigations continue. “Samples of the produced bread were taken for laboratory analysis,” the statement added.
Oligbu implored producers of NAFDAC-regulated products to seek guidance by visiting the agency’s office for advice in setting up their facilities and businesses.
He warned that the agency will make Rivers State and the entire South-South Zone uncomfortable for recalcitrant and illicit producers that do not want to abide by NAFDAC standards.
SOURCE: PUNCH
