NAFDAC seals four illegal bakeries in Port Harcourt

…Warns perpetrators to desist forthwith

By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

In a sustained bid to stamp out the prevalence of quack and substandard bakeries in Rivers State, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down four unregistered bakeries in Port Harcourt metropolis.

NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, Pharm Chukwuma Oligbu, said that “the bakeries were operating without registration licences and with very poor Good Hygienic Practice (GHP).”

“Pans with dough were been kept on the floor, the makeshift buildings were with open and uncovered windows, bakery workers were not well kitted with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), lister generator sets were sited inside the production rooms and there were no factory flow etc,” the Director stated.

The bakeries shot down include ‘He Reigns Bakery’ – Okabie Street, off Bakery Road, Rumuigbo; ‘Dvine Freedom Bread’ – 3, Omasi Street, Rumuomasi; ‘De Heroes Bakery’ – Wonda Street, Psychiatric Road and ‘The Lord’s Abundant Bakery’ – 5, Elder Ezebunwo Street, off Obi Wali Road, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt.

The four bakeries visited were subsequently shut down and the owners directed to report at the Zonal office of NAFDAC for questioning while investigations continue. Samples of the produced bread were taken for laboratory analysis.

Oligbu warned that defaulters of NAFDAC regulations risk prosecution and possible jail term when convicted. He implored producers of NAFDAC regulated products to seek guidance by visiting the Agency’s office for advice and supervisions in setting up their facilities/businesses, adding that the Agency will make Rivers State and the entire South-South Zone uncomfortable for recalcitrant and illicit producers who don’t want to abide by NAFDAC standards.