Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control have on Friday arrested 10 persons in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, for selling unregistered bread.
NAFDAC also impounded four vehicles used in selling the unregistered products in Rumuokoro, Rukpokwu and other places within Port Harcourt metropolis.
Officials of the agency, who operated with a team of policemen, went round major points where unregistered loaves of bread were sold to seize them.
Rivers State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mrs Chinelo Ejeh, explained that the operation was part of the agency’s regular routine, where unwholesome products were mopped up from circulation.
“In the early morning raid at the bread depots in Rumuokoro, Rukpokwu and other places within the Port Harcourt metropolis, NAFDAC officials, accompanied by a detachment of men from the Nigerian Police Force also confiscated the unregistered loaves.
“This morning raid was focused on unregistered bread and those using fictitious (NAFDAC) numbers. We are looking out for unapproved additives, such as potassium bromated, which is carcinogenic and other unapproved bread enhancers.
“NAFDAC cannot guarantee the quality of any product that is not registered. We have arrested 10 persons selling unregistered bread and impounded four vehicles used in the sales of the product. The operation is in a bid to ensure that only registered and wholesome loaves of bread are sold,” Ejeh said.
The unregistered loaves of bread confiscated during the raid are Chicken Cream Bread, Deeptep Bread, Grandey Bread, Famous Buttered Bread and Joy Special Loaf.
Others are Godswill Fresh Bite, Divine Doughnut, Delightful Bread, High Five Bread, AB Bread, Honey Land Bread, New Don OK Super Loaf and Rechlm doughnut.
Ejeh said that those arrested would take NAFDAC officials to the illegal bakeries producing the unregistered loaves, adding that such bakeries would be sealed off and their equipment confiscated.
The state NAFDAC boss said that appropriate sanction would be meted out to the offending bakers, even as she called on the general public to always alert NAFDAC to the activities of any illegal bakery and other production outfits for appropriate action.
In a related development, the agency in collaboration with wine producers has confiscated wines and other alcoholic beverages from wine shops and bars across Port Harcourt for various violations ranging from parallel importation and non-registration of their products.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of NAFDAC, South-South Zone, Cyril Monye, the wine shops and bars visited by the agency were located at GRA Phase II and Roumumasi.
“Expensive wines and alcoholic beverages worth millions of naira were confiscated and moved to NAFDAC office while the owners were invited for further investigation and appropriate sanctions where necessary.
“The drinks confiscated are Blue Label, Red Label, Johnie Walker, Black Label, Belvedere Vodka, Jack Daniels, Remy Martin, McDowell’s, Glenfiddich and Suite Cranberry juice,” the statement read.
The NAFDAC team also impounded some suspected fake alcoholic beverage from sellers and took the products to the agency’s office.
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