NAFDAC Shuts Down Four Unregistered Bakeries In Rivers Due To Unsanitary Conditions
On Thursday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), closed four unlicensed bakeries in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers state due to their operation without licenses and in unsanitary conditions.
The NAFDAC Director for the South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, announced this in a statement released in Port Harcourt.
He mentioned that the findings resulted from the agency’s bid to stamp out the prevalence of quack and substandard bakeries in the state and the zone in general.
Oligbu stated that following the closure of the bakeries, the owners were directed to the NAFDAC zonal office in Port Harcourt for questioning.
He, nonetheless stated, 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 licences 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.
“Llister generator sets were sited inside the production rooms, and there was no factory flow, etc.”
The NAFDAC director mentioned that the closed 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.
