NAFDAC Cracks Down on Sokoto Bakery for Using Unfortified Sugar

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed a bakery in Sokoto State for using unfortified sugar and banned bromate.

Mr. Garba Adamu, the NAFDAC State Coordinator, informed the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, July 13, 2024, that the bakery was identified during a special raid by the agency’s officials.

“We discovered that the bakery was using saccharine, an unregistered foreign sugar, as a sweetener along with banned bromate in their productions. The items were seized for destruction, and the bakery is shut down until it complies with regulations and directives,” Adamu said.

He emphasized that only fortified registered sugar containing Vitamin A and other micronutrients are allowed to be sold and consumed in Nigeria. “This is a Federal Government policy enforced by NAFDAC and other government agencies to ensure that consumers receive the maximum nutritional and health benefits from products,” he stated.

Additionally, six other bakeries were sanctioned for poor hygiene as enforcement officers, led by Mr. Buhari Manzo, increased routine inspection visits across the state. “Bakeries are monitored to ensure they don’t use saccharine or other banned items as substitutes for fortified regulated ingredients,” Adamu added.

The state coordinator also warned producers against using adulterated, counterfeit, unregistered, and expired items, reiterating that NAFDAC would continue regular enforcement.

Adamu mentioned that the operation would extend to Local Government Areas as part of the agency’s efforts to ensure hygienic foods are sold. He urged the public to avoid unregistered products and to report any suspicious practices and contamination to NAFDAC.

NAN