The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cleared BON Bread of wrongdoing after investigating claims on social media that one of its loaves stayed fresh for more than two months without growing mold.
NAFDAC said the investigation began after a shop owner complained on April 13 that a loaf of bread supplied to her shop had remained unmolded for over two months.
Although the shopkeeper did not name the product, Food & Food Integrated Company Limited, the producer of BON Bread, identified itself as the manufacturer and denied the allegation.
In a statement released on Saturday, NAFDAC said it had immediately launched an investigation in response to public concern about the issue.
“The agency immediately commenced investigation on the matter,” the statement said.
NAFDAC said officials from its Greater FCT Directorate inspected the company’s bakery facility in Abuja on April 20 and collected bread samples from both the factory and the open market for laboratory testing.
According to the agency, the company has been producing bread since 2006 and has “successfully gone through several product license renewals without any penalties or recalls.”
Laboratory tests showed that the bread contained calcium propionate, a preservative approved for use in bread production.
“The amount of the preservative used was within the limits specified in Codex Alimentarius,” NAFDAC said.
The agency added that the bread samples “did not contain objectionable substances, including bromate and non-nutritive sweeteners.”
NAFDAC said bread producers are allowed to use approved methods to extend shelf life as long as they meet international food safety standards.
“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 statement added.
The agency also advised Nigerians to report complaints directly to NAFDAC offices or through its electronic platforms instead of rushing to social media.
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