Concern over Bread Quality in Market Due to Laboratory Tests

Recent laboratory tests conducted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have shown that bread being sold in markets is failing quality standards. Producers are resorting to using saccharine as a cheaper alternative to sugar, which has raised concerns about the health implications of such substitutions.

NAFDAC issued a warning to water producers, patent medicine dealers, and other manufacturers of regulated products to refrain from selling counterfeit or substandard items. Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, the Southwest Coordinator for NAFDAC, delivered this message during a stakeholder meeting held in Ibadan, emphasizing the need for compliance with regulations.

The agency’s recent operations also uncovered instances of patent medicine dealers selling restricted drugs and unregistered products while some manufacturers were found to be lacking in meeting packaging and storage standards.

Ajayi stressed the importance of maintaining high standards despite economic challenges and assured that product quality and safety are non-negotiable.

Addressing the stakeholders at the meeting, Ajayi called for increased collaboration and support to ensure NAFDAC fulfills its mandate of safeguarding public health. She urged all parties to adhere to best practices to guarantee the quality and safety of regulated products available to consumers.

During the meeting, Mr. Moses Adewole, the Oyo State Director of Pharmaceutical Services, urged medicine vendors to operate within their scope of expertise and avoid selling expired drugs, warning that such actions could endanger public health.

In response, Mr. Oladimeji Shittu, Oyo State Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPMED), suggested that stakeholder engagement with NAFDAC should become a regular occurrence to stay updated on relevant developments.

The engagement included participants from various sectors such as master bakers, chemical dealers, agro-input dealers, importers, supermarket operators, manufacturers, and distributors of regulated products.