Under the auspices of the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria, a former Director of Food Registration and Regulatory Affairs at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),  Rev. William Effiok, has urged breadmakers to adhere to regulatory standards to position themselves for greater business opportunities in 2024.

Effiok made this statement on Sunday, 12 November, in Lagos, at the 2023 Day Out of the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria, which brought together important players in the baking business to map out solutions to the persistent issues with bread baking, especially in light of the nation’s manufacturing sector’s economic downturn.

According to a previous report, PBAN aims to address the issues facing the baking business. “Maintaining quality and providing consumers with safe and healthy consumable products are made easier when regulatory requirements are met.” Encouraging quackery and unscrupulous behavior among bakers will severely impair the legitimate businesses among PBAN members. 

Speaking on the topic of “Overcoming business challenges in the baking industry under harsh economic realities,” Effiok stated that breadmakers must establish structures to stop unwholesome activities.

Director of NAFDAC‘s Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs. Eva Edwards, also spoke and reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to guarantee the standards and caliber of its regulated goods.

She pointed out that eliminating fuel subsidies, exchange rates, and infrastructure are only a few difficulties facing the business world that endanger companies’ viability.

Despite their obstacles, she stated, “Producers of NAFDAC-regulated products must understand that safety, standards, and quality are non-negotiable.”

According to Edwards, NAFDAC, led by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the current Director General, was aware of the difficulties brought about by the aforementioned reasons and had taken steps to alleviate the load on the stakeholders.

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The PBAN President, Engr. Emmanuel Onuorah had earlier stated in his introductory remarks that the difficulties Nigerian breadmakers face are considerable and demanding, with their capacity constantly declining and their margins always narrowing.

According to Onuorah, most bread makers are either losing money or barely breaking even because the costs greatly exceed the revenues.

“Most bakeries that cannot raise new cash eventually close their doors, but we almost always unintentionally recapitalize our company to stay afloat. This is for people who have capital expenditures.

He stated, “The primary reason we’re here today as an industry is to examine and resolve issues from the regulatory, and other technical, and business standpoints.”