Ishaak Abdulraheem, the Chairman of the Master Bakers Association, has clarified that bread bakers in Nigeria do not use saccharine in their baking processes, emphasizing that doing so would be counterproductive for the industry.
He pointed out that saccharine not only reduces the quality of the bread, making it light and unprofitable, but it also poses health risks that responsible bakers are careful to avoid.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, Abdulraheem responded to concerns raised by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which had reported that many breads were failing laboratory tests. He reassured the public that certified bakers utilize approved improvers to enhance the quality of bread, with many of these improvers being produced locally in Nigeria.
“Using saccharine would only reduce the dough weight, leading to unviable and unprofitable bread,” Abdulraheem explained.
“No modern baker, especially those of us operating in the FCT, would resort to such practices. We’ve outgrown that level.”
He suggested that only unregistered or less-informed bakers might consider using saccharine, but stressed that knowledgeable bakers are well aware of its health hazards. “The issue here is ignorance. A modern baker would never opt for saccharine. We’re fully aware of both the business and health implications,” he added.
Abdulraheem also discussed NAFDAC’s role in ensuring safe bread production. He stated, “Before a baker is granted a NAFDAC number, they must submit a detailed analysis of the ingredients they use. NAFDAC regularly tests bread samples from both factories and markets, and any non-compliance results in sanctions.”
He encouraged Nigerians to have confidence in bread produced by licensed companies and advised against purchasing from unregistered sources. “There are numerous reputable companies producing bread in Nigeria. They wouldn’t risk using saccharine, knowing the potential consequences,” Abdulraheem assured.
In conclusion, Abdulraheem urged consumers to support and trust Nigerian-made bread, reaffirming that responsible bakers adhere to strict safety standards to protect their customers’ health.
