The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised a major concern regarding the quality of bread sold in markets.
The agency revealed that many bread producers are substituting saccharine for sugar due to the high cost of sugar, leading to bread failing laboratory tests. This revelation was made during a stakeholders' engagement meeting held in Ibadan.
Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, NAFDAC's Southwest Coordinator, highlighted the issue, stating, "Recently, we observed that bread sold in the markets is failing laboratory tests because producers are using saccharine due to the high cost of sugar. They are introducing ingredients that are not good for the health of the consumers."
Ajayi emphasized that despite the prevailing economic challenges, NAFDAC would not compromise its standards, asserting, "It is pertinent to note that the quality and safety of regulated products cannot be compromised."
The meeting also addressed broader concerns about the sale of fake and substandard products by water producers, patent medicine dealers, and other manufacturers.
Ajayi warned these groups against selling restricted drugs and unregistered products, noting that some manufacturers were not complying with required packaging and storage standards.
She stated, "The report gathered by the agency during its recent operation revealed that some patent medicine dealers were selling restricted drugs and unregistered products."
The stakeholders' meeting aimed to solicit more collaboration and support from relevant parties to help NAFDAC fulfill its mandate of safeguarding public health.
Ajayi mentioned, "All stakeholders must embrace the culture and requirements for good practices related to each sector to guarantee quality, safety, and wholesomeness of regulated products available to the citizens."
Additionally, Mr. Moses Adewole, the Oyo State Director of Pharmaceutical Services, urged medicine sellers to adhere strictly to their scope of expertise and avoid selling expired drugs, equating it to "giving out poison to the citizens."
Mr. Oladimeji Shittu, Oyo State Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPMED), called for regular stakeholder engagements to keep all parties updated on developments.
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