The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has rubbished reports claiming that it directed Nigerians not to eat bread.
Naturenex recalls that NAFDAC south-west coordinator, Roseline Ajayi recently said some bread sold in the markets is failing laboratory tests because producers are using saccharine due to the high cost of sugar.
Shortly after, a reporter made a video of Ajayi’s comment and further advised Nigerians to avoid consuming bread.
However, speaking via a statement on Tuesday, NAFDAC director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, said the video does not reflect the stance of the Agency.
According to her, “At no time during that engagement with stakeholders did NAFDAC suggest that Nigerians should avoid bread baked and sold in Nigeria
“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. NAFDAC wishes to reassure the public that the Agency remains fully alive to her responsibilities of safeguarding the health of the public.
“The Agency is a responsible regulator and does not make general statements capable of causing panic and fear in the population.”
Adeyeye cautioned bakers in the country against using unapproved food additives.
“Any baker found to be using unapproved food additives, in this case, saccharine, is appropriately sanctioned in line with the extant regulatory provisions,” the statement added.
