The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has sealed four unregistered bakeries in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers state, according to The Agency, the four bakeries were operating without registration licences and with unhygienic practices.
Chukwuma Oligbu, The NAFDAC zonal Director for South-South Zone made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Zonal Director said the action was one of the steps The Agency has taken to stamp out the prevalence of quack and substandard bakeries in the state and the zone in general, he added that after shutting down the bakeries, the owners were directed to the NAFDAC zonal office in Port Harcourt for questioning. He noted that investigation was ongoing and 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 statement read in part.
According to him, 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 continued.
Oligbu advised producers of NAFDAC regulated products to visit The Agency’s office for guidance and advice before setting up their facilities and businesses, as the agency is bent on sanitizing Rivers State and the entire South-South Zone by flushing out recalcitrant and illicit producers who don’t abide by NAFDAC standard.
