At least four unregistered bakeries in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers state have been shut down by the officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC).
According to the agency, the four bakeries were operating without registration licences and with unhygienic practices.
The NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, who made this disclosure through a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 4 July, 2024, said the discovery followed the agency’s bid to stamp out the prevalence of quack and substandard bakeries in the state and the zone in general.
Oligbu added that after shutting down the bakeries, the owners were directed to the NAFDAC zonal office in Port Harcourt for questioning.
While noting that investigation was ongoing, he warned that defaulters of the agency’s extant regulations risk prosecution and possible jail term if convicted.
“The bakeries were operating without registration licences and with very poor hygienic practice.
“Pans with dough were being kept on the floor, the make shift buildings were with open and uncovered windows, bakery workers were not well kitted with Personal Protective Equipment.
“Lister generator sets were sited inside the production rooms, and they were no factory flow, etc,” the NAFDAC Director said in the statement.
Oligbu said the bakeries shut down include: Reigns Bakery – Okabie Street, off Bakery Road, Rumuigbo in Ohio/Akpor LGA, Dvine Freedom bread; and 3, Omasi Street, Rumuomasi Street, 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 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.
He implored producers of NAFDAC regulated products to seek guidance by visiting the agency’s office for advice in setting up their facilities and businesses, as the agency will make Rivers Etate and the entire South-South Zone uncomfortable for recalcitrant and illicit producers who don’t want to abide by NAFDAC standard.
