…Flaws Hasty Social Media Comments On Regulated Products
The National Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed that consumption of BON bread by Nigerians and other consumers is safe based on investigations carried out by it at both the bakery and shop outlets on the bread.
The agency, in a statement issued to validate the safety of the bread for consumption of the bread and signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, recalled that on April 13 this year an internet blogger complained via the social media that a loaf of bread that remained from the ones supplied to her for sale had been kept for over two (2) months without molding.
Adeyeye stated that though the complainant did not mention the brand/producer of the said bread, Food & Food Integrated Company Limited, producer of BON Bread, claimed that the said bread was produced by the company, and that the allegation was not true.
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She clarified that in view of the hue and cry over the internet and the perceived need for NAFDAC to avail the public with evidence-based scientific proof, the agency immediately commenced investigation on the matter.
According to her, the Greater FCT, one of the directorates of the agency, conducted an investigative inspection of the bakery facility of Food & Food Integrated Company Limited, Abuja on April 20 and that in addition to obtaining bread samples (and condiments) from the company, the agency also procured samples of the bread product from the open market for laboratory analysis on the same day as part of the inspection exercise.
On the findings of the agency’s investigations, the Director-General reported: “Investigation by the agency revealed that the company in question commenced bread production in the year 2006 and has successfully gone through several product license renewals without any penalties or recalls. Laboratory findings revealed that calcium propionate was used as preservative, and that the amount of the preservative used was within the limits specified in Codex Alimentarius (Food Code).
“The Calcium propionate content from the test results of the three (3) sets of BON Bread samples taken from both the production facility and open market were satisfactory, and the bread samples analyzed did not contain objectionable substances, including bromate and non-nutritive sweeteners. It is to be noted that producers of bread are allowed to engage in practices that may extend the shelf life of their products provided such practices meet the requirements as stipulated in the Codex Alimentarius, a standard endorsed all over the world.
“As a result of the foregoing, the public is hereby informed that the company is not in violation of any of the agency’s regulations. The public is implored to always visit any of the NAFDAC offices nationwide or use our different electronic handles, including the recently launched call centre to lay complaints before going to the social media to speak on any issues concerning regulated products. This will ensure that such matters are discreetly and thoroughly investigated”, Adeyeye assured.
