NAFDAC Clears Viral Bread Scare, Confirms Preservatives Are Within Safe Limits

According to Ireporter Online, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that bread manufacturers in Nigeria are permitted to use approved preservatives and production techniques that extend shelf life, provided such methods comply with internationally recognized safety benchmarks, particularly the Codex Alimentarius standards.

The agency stated that the use of such additives is not prohibited when applied within regulated limits, stressing that compliance with global food safety guidelines remains the key requirement for all producers in the country’s food industry.

NAFDAC made the clarification following public concerns over claims that a loaf of bread allegedly remained mould-free for over two months, a situation that triggered widespread debate on social media.

The controversy reportedly began on April 13, 2026, when an internet blogger claimed that a loaf of bread supplied for retail purposes remained intact for over two months without signs of spoilage. Although the brand was not initially identified, Food & Food Integrated Company Limited, producers of BON Bread, later denied any wrongdoing, insisting the product was not involved in the allegation.

In response to the public outcry, NAFDAC said it immediately launched an investigation to verify the claims, dispatching officials from its Greater FCT Directorate to inspect the company’s bakery facility in Abuja on April 20, 2026. Samples of the bread, along with production ingredients, were collected from both the facility and open market outlets for laboratory analysis.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that the company, which commenced operations in 2006, has consistently maintained valid product licensing and has undergone several renewals without regulatory sanctions or recalls.

She further disclosed that laboratory tests confirmed the presence of calcium propionate as a preservative, noting that the quantity detected was within the permissible limits established by international food safety standards. Additional tests reportedly showed that bread samples from both the production site and the market contained no harmful substances such as bromate or non-nutritive sweeteners.

Following the findings, NAFDAC concluded that the company did not breach any regulatory requirements, stressing that the product met all safety standards.

The agency also urged members of the public to channel complaints through official NAFDAC offices or verified communication platforms rather than relying on unverified social media reports, assuring that all genuine concerns would be properly investigated.