The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned bakeries in Niger State against using banned substances in bread production, threatening to shut down facilities found violating food safety regulations.
The warning was issued by the NAFDAC State Coordinator in Niger, James Kigbu, during a sensitisation programme for master bakers in the Minna Emirate. He said bakeries found using prohibited bread improvers or operating with unauthorised labels and advertisements could face immediate closure, administrative fines and prosecution.
Kigbu specifically identified potassium bromate and saccharin among substances prohibited for use in bread production. He urged bakers to comply with approved food safety standards and ensure that only authorised ingredients are used in manufacturing baked products.
According to the agency, compliance with hygiene, ingredient and labelling requirements is necessary to protect consumers and ensure that bread sold across the state meets established safety standards.
The chairman of the Master Bakers Association of Niger, Silvanus Umeh, said consumers were increasingly concerned about the quality and source of bread available in the market. He added that the association had been monitoring members through bakery inspections and discreet collection of samples for laboratory testing.
Umeh said the association was not aware of its members using banned substances but urged bakers to maintain proper hygiene and comply with NAFDAC regulations.
The warning is significant because bread is widely consumed in Nigeria, making compliance with food safety rules important for public health. NAFDAC’s latest position also highlights the agency’s continuing efforts to strengthen surveillance and enforcement within the food sector.
NAFDAC’s 2025 Bread Regulations set requirements covering ingredients, quality standards, labelling, contaminants, packaging, prohibited practices and penalties for offences.
The agency has repeatedly warned against the illegal use of potassium bromate in bread. Its latest directive reinforces the need for bakeries to use approved ingredients and maintain standards designed to protect consumers.
