Health
NAFDAC Speaks On Saccharine Use In Bread Production

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday refuted claims made in a recent video circulating online suggesting that Nigerians should avoid bread due to the alleged use of saccharine in its production.
In a press release signed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Christianah Adeyeye, the agency, clarified that the video’s content does not reflect the agency’s stance.
While it acknowledged that the use of saccharine in bread is not permitted by the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) or the Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA), NAFDAC emphasized that it has not advised consumers to avoid bread.
Adeyeye stated that the agency remains committed to safeguarding public health and will continue to take appropriate action against any baker found to be using unapproved food additives.
“Any baker found to be using unapproved food additives, in this case, saccharine, is appropriately sanctioned in line with the extant regulatory provisions,” Adeyeye said.
The agency’s clarification comes in response to a video that claimed NAFDAC had raised concerns about the widespread use of saccharine in bread production due to the high cost of sugar.
The video’s reporter had advised consumers to avoid bread until further notice.
The statement reads in part, “The attention of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been drawn to a video circulating on social media titled: “Bread sold in markets failing laboratory tests, NAFDAC raises fresh alarm”.
The reporter stated that NAFDAC had raised a concern that “most of the bread in the market are failing laboratory tests because producers are using saccharine to bake bread more than they are using sugar due to the high cost of sugar.”
“As a responsive regulatory Agency, NAFDAC wishes to provide clarification that the content of the video on avoiding bread in Nigeria does not reflect the observation of NAFDAC which was made during a stakeholders engagement held on 16th August 2024 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
At no time during that engagement with stakeholders did NAFDAC suggest that Nigerians should avoid bread baked and sold in Nigeria. The Agency 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.
“The Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) does not permit the use of saccharine in bread. This is the same for the Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA), an authoritative reference point for food additives, which also does not permit the use of saccharine in bread.
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.
“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 the Agency. NAFDAC wishes to reassure the public that the Agency remains fully alive to her responsibilities of safeguarding the health of the public.”
NAFDAC further assured the public that it is actively monitoring the food market and taking necessary steps to ensure the safety of food products consumed in Nigeria.
Health
NAFDAC discovers depot for expired drugs in Abia

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday uncovered a major operation depot dealing in expired and falsified drugs at Umumeje village, Osisioma Ngwa area of Abia State.
NAFDAC disclosed this in a statement on X, saying it revealed that the illegal operation was being run from multiple buildings near the Ariaria International Market.
According to the agency, the expired medicines were repackaged and revalidated for resale, posing a significant health risk to consumers.
“Seized items consisted of expired potassium chloride, allergy medications, immune boosters, and cholesterol treatments,” the statement read.
“Machines used to rebrand and alter expiry dates were also discovered on-site. Despite efforts to reach him, he showed no concern for his detained family members,” the statement read.
The raid led to the arrest of several individuals associated with the operation. However, the prime suspect behind the illicit trade remains at large.
https://twitter.com/NafdacAgency/status/1890352992877949031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
NAFDAC stated that the operation, conducted in collaboration with security agencies, is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing crackdown on the circulation of counterfeit drugs in the country.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating the distribution of substandard and falsified drugs in Nigeria, saying it is is currently reviewing its laws to impose stricter penalties on individuals and organisations involved in the production and distribution of dangerous pharmaceutical products.
Health
Sokoto warns parents resisting polio immunisation

Sokoto State has issued a stern warning to parents resisting polio immunisation, stressing that non-compliance will not be tolerated in the state’s fight to eradicate the disease.
In a directive aimed at curbing resistance, the state has mandated its officials to report any cases of parents hindering immunisation efforts during vaccination campaigns.
The directive was announced by Sokoto’s Deputy Governor, Idris Gobir, at a United Nations Representatives’ meeting held on Wednesday at the Command Guest Inn in Sokoto.
The meeting included local government chairmen, religious leaders, and traditional rulers.
Gobir’s announcement followed a report from the state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, highlighting ongoing challenges in the battle against polio, including non-compliance from some parents and inaccuracies in data collection during immunisation drives.
“We already have a standing committee and sub-committees at the local and ward levels that are focused on tackling resistance to polio immunisation. Our government has the necessary resources, personnel, and capacity to eliminate the virus, but despite our efforts, the continued presence of polio in Sokoto remains a serious concern,” Gobir stated.
In her address, the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Mrs. Christian Munduate, expressed concern over the rising number of polio cases in Sokoto North and South, warning that these areas have the highest number of polio infections in the country.
She also raised alarm about the widespread issue of fake fingerprint markings, where some parents and vaccinators falsely claim that children have been immunised, undermining efforts to eradicate the disease.
Munduate called for increased collaboration between government agencies, traditional leaders, and international partners to address these persistent challenges and ensure the success of immunisation campaigns.
The meeting saw contributions from various stakeholders, including a representative of the Sultan of Sokoto and District Head of Wurno, Kabir Alhassan, and the Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Health, Kabir Dauda, who delivered goodwill messages reinforcing the importance of collective action in the fight against polio.
Health
Patients from U.S., UK now patronizing Nigeira’s health facilities, says Pate

Nigeria’s improved healthcare sector is attracting patients from across Africa and even the United States (U.S.A.) and the United Kingdom (UK), the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate has said.
The minister said the Federal Government would continue to invest in critical medical infrastructure and regulatory reforms to further improve the sector.
Pate said this while addressing reporters at the State House yesterday in Abuja after the second day of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister announced that the FEC approved N12 billion for the procurement of major diagnostic equipment, including three MRI machines and two CT scanners, for six federal hospitals across the country.
He said the investment would significantly improve diagnostic capabilities in the nation’s healthcare facilities.
The hospitals that will get the new equipment include the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom; the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta, Ogun State; the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) in Ile-Ife, Osun State; the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Keffi, Nasarawa State; the Modibo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH) in Yola, Adamawa State; and the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) in Kebbi State.
“You can see that, piece by piece, we are rebuilding our health infrastructure. We are not just improving basic healthcare at the frontline, but also strengthening our tertiary institutions with critical equipment,” Pate said.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s growing healthcare capabilities were already drawing international patients.
“This is already happening, including people from faraway places like the United Kingdom and the United States. Despite what we may want to believe about Nigeria’s healthcare system, there are good things happening. The transformation that the President promised is beginning to happen, and we need to sustain it,” he said.
Pate said the FEC, in a landmark decision with continental implications, also approved Nigeria’s ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty.
The treaty, adopted by the African Union (AU) Heads of State in February 2019, is designed to enhance regulatory oversight of medicines and pharmaceuticals across Africa.
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