The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has shut down three substandard bakeries and a sachet water factory in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the South South Zonal Public Relations Officer, Cyril Monye, the bakeries were operating in makeshift structures made of wood, and producing in unhygienic conditions.
The facilities located in Rumuparali and Mgbuoba, both in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state were neither registered nor compliant with safety regulations, according to the statement by NAFDAC.
Emmanuel Onogwu, the NAFDAC Coordinator for Rivers State, who coordinated the operation, said they successfully carried out the operation following a tip off from concerned citizens and extensive investigations by the agency’s enforcement unit.
The regulatory agency also shut down a sachet water factory along the Mgbuoba-Choba Road, Obio/Akpor LGA for not conforming to standard best practices.
The statement read, “The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shot down three substandard and unregistered bakeries and a sachet water factory in Port Harcourt metropolis.
“A sachet water factory along Mgboba-Choba road was also shut down for producing in a facility different from the one registered by NAFDAC and also not conforming to standard best practices.
“The State Coordinator lamented the activities of unscrupulous producers of NAFDAC regulated products who indulge in their illicit business with total disregard to laid down rules and guidelines, reinstating the agency’s commitment in carrying out its mandate of safeguarding public health.
“Pharm Onogwu implored the general public to always provide NAFDAC with necessary information that could lead to arrest and clampdown of unregistered producers.”