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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has closed down four unregistered bakeries in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers state.
The agency stated that the bakeries were operating without proper registration licenses and were not following hygienic practices.
The Director of NAFDAC, South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, made this announcement in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Oligbu mentioned that the discovery was made during the agency's efforts to eliminate the presence of unqualified and substandard bakeries in the state and the zone as a whole.
After shutting down the bakeries, the owners were instructed to appear at the NAFDAC zonal office in Port Harcourt for questioning. Oligbu warned that those who violate the agency's existing regulations could face prosecution and potential imprisonment if found guilty.
He explained, "The bakeries were operating without registration licenses and with very poor hygienic practices."
The NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, listed the reasons for shutting down the bakeries, including keeping dough pans on the floor, having makeshift buildings with open and uncovered windows, lack of proper protective gear for bakery workers, and improper placement of generator sets inside production rooms.
The closed bakeries include Reigns Bakery on Okabie Street, off Bakery Road, Rumuigbo in Ohio/Akpor LGA, Dvine Freedom bread on 3, Omasi Street, Rumuomasi Street in Port Harcourt, De Heroes Bakery on Wonda Street, Psychiatric Road in Ohio/Akpor LGA, and The Lord's Abundant Bakery on 5, Elder Ezebunwo Street off Obi Wali Road, Rumuigbo in Ohio/Akpor LGA.
"The four bakeries visited were subsequently shut down, and the owners directed to report at the Zonal office for questioning while investigations continue. Samples of…"
