-
The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control has come out to clear a rumour about banning bread.
-
The agency, in a recent statement released debunked claims and rumours of it placing a ban on the purchase and consumption of bread in the country.
While reacting to a viral video making rounds online, the NAFDAC addressed a misconception and rumour made by its South-west Coordinator, Roseline Ajayi, which says that most bread sold failed laboratory test and producers are using addictives such as saccharine due to the high cost of suga.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, said the content of the video does not reflect the observation of the official but the personal opinion of the reporter.
“At no time during that engagement with stakeholders did NAFDAC suggest that Nigerians should avoid bread baked and sold in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
“NAFDAC dissociates herself from the comment of the reporter in the circulating video about avoiding bread in Nigeria.
“This is the personal statement of the reporter who does not speak for the Agency,” she said.
“The Agency is a responsible regulator and does not make general statements capable of causing panic and fear in the population,” she said.
Also Read: Seyi Vibez Parts Ways with Dapper After Toronto Show Backlash
“Any baker found to be using unapproved food additives, in this case, saccharine, is appropriately sanctioned in line with the extant regulatory provisions,” the NAFDAC boss said.
“The Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) does not permit the use of saccharine in bread. This is the same for the Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA), an authoritative reference point for food additives, which also does not permit the use of saccharine in bread.
“Like other food additives, sweeteners usually undergo thorough risk assessments for safety by an Expert Body, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) before approval for use,” she added
Leave a comment