The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down four unregistered bakeries in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital over poor hygienic condition.
South-South Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Pharmacist Chukwuma Oligbu, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said their closures were aimed at sustaining the agency’s bid to stamp out the prevalence of fake and substandard bakeries in the state.
Oligbu listed the affected bakeries to include He Reigns Bakery, Okabie Street, off Bakery Road, Rumuigbo; Dvine Freedom bread on 3, Omasi Street, Rumuomasi Street; De Heroes Bakery, Wonda Street, Psychiatric Road and The Lord’s Abundant Bakery on 5, Elder Ezebunwo Street off Obi Wali Road, Rumuigbo, all in Port Harcourt.
He added that the four bakeries, apart from being unregistered, were operating a very poor hygienic practice.
The NAFDAC zonal director said, “The bakeries were operating without registration licenses and with very poor Good Hygienic Practice (GHP).
“Pans with dough were being kept on the floor, the makeshift buildings were with open and uncovered windows, bakery workers were not well kitted with PPEs, lister generator sets were sited inside the production rooms and they were no factory flow etc.
“The bakeries shot down includes He Reigns Bakery – Okabie Street, off Bakery Road, Rumuigbo; Dvine Freedom bread – 3, Omasi Street, Rumuomasi Street; De Heroes Bakery – Wonda Street, Psychiatric Road and The Lord’s Abundant Bakery – 5, Elder Ezebunwo Street off Obi Wali Road, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt.
“The four bakeries visited were subsequently shut down and the owners directed to report at the Zonal Office for questioning while investigations continue. Samples of the produced bread were taken for laboratory analysis.”
Oligbu warned that defaulters of NAFDAC regulations risk prosecution and possible jail term when convicted, he implored producers of agency’s regulated products to seek guidance by visiting the agency’s office for advice and supervisions in setting up their facilities/businesses.
He stated that the agency will make Rivers State and the entire South-South Zone uncomfortable to recalcitrant and illicit producers who do not want to abide by NAFDAC standard.
