The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns about the quality of bread sold in markets, revealing that producers are using saccharine instead of sugar due to high costs.

This practice, according to NAFDAC, is causing bread to fail laboratory tests and potentially harming consumers' health.

"Recently, we observed that bread sold in the markets is failing laboratory tests because producers are using saccharine due to the high cost of sugar. They are introducing ingredients that are not good for the health of the consumers," warned Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, NAFDAC Southwest Coordinator, during a stakeholders' engagement meeting in Ibadan.

NAFDAC also cautioned water producers, patent medicine dealers, and other manufacturers of regulated products against selling fake and substandard products. The agency's recent operation revealed that some patent medicine dealers were selling restricted drugs and unregistered products, while some manufacturers failed to comply with required packaging and storage standards.

Ajayi emphasized the need for compliance, stating, "We will not tolerate the sale of fake and substandard products. Manufacturers must adhere to the required standards to ensure the health and safety of consumers."

NAFDAC's warning comes as a reminder to consumers to be vigilant about the products they purchase and consume. The agency's efforts aim to protect public health and ensure that regulated products meet the required standards.