NAFDAC Shuts Down 10 Bakeries In Rivers State

NAFDAC Shuts Down 10 Bakeries In Rivers State

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken decisive action by shutting down 10 substandard and unregistered bakeries along with eight table water factories in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State……READ ALSO NAFDAC Asserts: No Proliferation Of Fake Drugs In Nigeria

This significant move, aimed at purging Rivers State of fake and unwholesome products, was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by Cyril Monye, the Public Relations Officer of NAFDAC’s South-South Zone.

The operation, conducted over three days, received support from security operatives from Finima and Bonny Divisional Headquarters, ensuring the safety of NAFDAC officials throughout the exercise.

Chukwuma Oligbo, the Director of NAFDAC, South-South Zone, emphasized the necessity of the operation, citing meticulous investigations, surveillance, and consumer complaints regarding substandard bakeries and sachet/table water factories on the island.

Oligbo highlighted disturbing findings, revealing that some bakeries operated in dilapidated facilities using inappropriate baking equipment, while workers were inadequately kitted. Additionally, the storage conditions for bread in these bakeries were deemed highly unhygienic, with some establishments misleadingly bearing the names of popular bread brands in Port Harcourt.

Regarding the table water factories, Oligbo noted that several were operating without filtration equipment and proper facilities. He expressed concern over manual filling processes for bottled and jar water, stressing the importance of adherence to automated procedures for quality assurance.

The zonal director urged businesses with expired licenses or those that have relocated without notifying NAFDAC to promptly rectify their status, leveraging the waiver provided from January to March for license renewal.

This crackdown follows NAFDAC’s recent closure of two sachet water factories in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area, due to the production of untreated and unregistered sachet water, further underscoring the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of food and water products in Rivers State.