By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A bakery in Niger State has been sealed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for baking bread with a prohibited substance, potassium bromide.
Master bakers in Nigeria had been warned against using potassium bromide in making bread, though some of them still use it.
Niger State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Anikoh Ibrahim, said on Wednesday that the agency sealed the bakery located in Lapai Area Council of the state during an unscheduled visit.
Mr Ibrahim said NAFDAC would continue to sensitise master bakers in the state on the danger of using substances like that for edibles.
He said, “We have started inspection and sensitization visits to bakeries in Niger State, particularly those in the rural areas.
“When consumers see such bread in the market, they will be attracted to buy it because it is swollen owing to the potassium bromide content.
“Bromide causes cancer. So, we tell producers not to include it in the process of making food or edibles. Such substances are not good for our body.”
According to him, the bakery would be reopened after the payment of the stipulated fine by the agency as well as proper registration renewal.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya