The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed down four unregistered bakeries located in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The agency said the four bakeries were operating without registration licences and with unhygienic practices.
The NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Oligbu 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.
The NAFDAC director 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 statement read, “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, South-South Zone said the bakeries shut down includes: Reigns Bakery – Okabie Street, off Bakery Road, Rumuigbo in Ohio/Akpor LGA, Dvine Freedom bread – 3, Omasi Street, Rumuomasi Street I'm 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.
