Loaves of bread
By EMMANUEL KUJE, Abuja –
A misleading video has been making the rounds on social media, claiming that NAFDAC warned against consuming bread due to failing laboratory tests. However, the agency is now clarifying that this video does not accurately represent their stance.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said in a statement on Tuesday that the video’s claims about the agency raising concerns over saccharine in bread are entirely unfounded.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that the video’s content does not align with their observations shared during a stakeholder engagement in Ibadan on August 16.
“ NAFDAC wishes to provide clarification that the content of the video on avoiding bread in Nigeria does not reflect the observation of the agency made during a stakeholders engagement held on Aug.16 in Ibadan”, she said.
She said the agency had at no time raised concern that most bread in the market were failing laboratory tests because bakers were using saccharin to replace sugar due to the high cost.
According to the statement, the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS), does not permit the use of saccharine in bread.
The NAFDAC boss said the same was applicable for the Codex General StandaFood Additives (GSFA), an authoritative reference point for food additives, which also does not permit the use of saccharine in bread.
According to her, 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.
Adeyeye said:”NAFDAC is a responsible regulator and does not make general statements capable of causing panic and fear in the population.
“Any baker found to be using unapproved food additives, in this case, saccharine, is appropriately sanctioned in line with the extant regulatory provisions.
“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 NAFDAC and we wishe to reassure the public that the agency remains fully alive to her responsibilities of safeguarding the health of the public,” she said
