The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), yesterday, shut down four unregistered bakeries in the Port Harcourt metropolis.
The bakeries are: He Reigns Bakery, Okabie Street, off Bakery Road, Rumuigbo; Divine Freedom Bread, Omasi Street, Rumuomasi; De Heroes Bakery, Wonda Street, Psychiatric Road PortHarcourt; and The Lord's Abundant Bakery, Elder Ezebunwo Street, off Obi Wali Road, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt.
The owners of the bakeries were also directed to report at the zonal office of the agency for questioning. Samples of loaves were taken for laboratory analysis.
The agency's Director, South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, said the bakeries were operating without registration licenses and with very poor hygienic practice.
Oligbu said: “Pans with dough were kept on the floor. The makeshift buildings had open and uncovered windows. Bakery workers were not well kitted with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), Lister generator sets were sited inside the production rooms etc.”
He warned that defaulters of NAFDAC regulations risk prosecution and possible jail terms. He implored producers of NAFDAC regulated products to seek guidance by visiting the agency's office for advice and supervision, adding that the agency would make Rivers State and the entire South-South zone uncomfortable for illicit producers who disregard NAFDAC standards.
