Rev. William Effiok, a former Director of Food Registration and Regulatory Affairs at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, has advised members of the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria to embrace compliance with regulatory standards for improved business prospects in 2024.
He made this call during the 2023 Day Out event organized by PBAN in Lagos on Sunday.
Effiok stressed the importance of meeting regulatory requirements, emphasizing that it contributes to maintaining product quality and ensures the production of healthy and safe bread for consumers.
He warned against allowing unscrupulous practices within the industry, stating, “Allowing quackery and sharp practices among breadmakers will cripple genuine operators among the PBAN members. There is a need for breadmakers to put structure in place to curb unwholesome practices.”
The event focused on addressing challenges facing the baking industry, particularly amid the economic downturn affecting the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.
The theme of the discussion was “Overcoming business challenges in the baking industry under harsh economic realities.”
Mrs. Eva Edwards, Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at NAFDAC, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring the standards and quality of regulated products.
She acknowledged the challenges in the business environment, including fuel subsidy removal, exchange rates, and infrastructure, which pose threats to business sustainability.
Edwards emphasized that safety, standards, and quality are non-negotiable, urging producers to uphold these principles despite challenges.
PBAN President, Engr. Emmanuel Onuorah, highlighted the significant challenges faced by breadmakers in Nigeria, including a constant drop in capacity and diminishing margins.
He noted that the cost often exceeds revenue, leading to many bread producers running at a loss or barely surviving.
Onuorah emphasized the purpose of the gathering to address industry challenges from regulatory, technical, and commercial perspectives.
