RismadarVoice Reporters
September 17, 2026
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has warned bakery operators in Niger State against using prohibited substances, including potassium bromate and saccharin, in the production of bread.
The agency also cautioned bakers against using unauthorised product labels and advertisements, warning that violators could face closure and other regulatory sanctions.
The NAFDAC Coordinator in Niger State, James Kigbu, issued the warning during a one-day sensitisation programme organised for master bakers in the Minna Emirate.
Kigbu said the use of banned bread improvers or unauthorised labels could attract immediate closure of affected bakeries, administrative fines and possible prosecution.
He stressed that compliance with food safety regulations was essential to protecting consumers and ensuring that baked products were manufactured, packaged and distributed according to approved standards.
The NAFDAC official urged bakers to maintain proper hygiene throughout their production processes and ensure that only approved ingredients were used.
“Bakers must adhere to good hygiene and food safety practices, use only approved ingredients and comply with NAFDAC labelling requirements,” he said.
The Chairman of the Master Bakers Association of Niger State, Silvanus Umeh, said concerns among consumers over the quality and sources of bread had prompted the association to intensify its monitoring of bakeries.
Umeh said the association regularly visits bakeries and also collects bread samples discreetly for laboratory testing as part of efforts to ensure that members comply with regulatory requirements.
He said the association had not identified any of its members using prohibited substances, but urged bakers to remain committed to food safety, hygiene and government regulations.
The association further encouraged bakery operators to treat compliance with regulatory standards as a necessary part of protecting consumers and maintaining confidence in locally produced bread.