Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially cleared Food & Food Integrated Company Limited, the manufacturer of BON Bread, of any regulatory violation following a viral social media controversy that raised public alarm over the bread’s unusually long shelf life. In a statement issued on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the agency’s Director‑General, Prof. Christianah Mojisola Adeyeye, confirmed that laboratory investigations found the product to be safe for consumption and that the manufacturer is in full compliance with national and international food safety standards.
The controversy began on April 13, 2026, when a blogger identified as Love Dooshima posted a video on social media expressing concern that a loaf of bread supplied to her shop had remained without mould for more than two months. Although she did not name the brand, Food & Food Integrated Company Limited later publicly stated that the bread in question was its BON Bread product and denied any wrongdoing. The video quickly went viral, sparking intense public debate about preservatives in baked goods and the safety of processed foods in Nigeria. The company subsequently filed a N50 million lawsuit against the blogger, who was later detained by the Nigeria Police Force on April 20 before being released after the intervention of the Inspector‑General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
In response to the public outcry, NAFDAC said it immediately launched a scientific investigation to provide “evidence‑based scientific proof” and to allay consumer fears. According to Adeyeye, officials from the agency’s Greater Federal Capital Territory Directorate conducted an investigative inspection of the company’s bakery facility in Abuja on April 20, 2026. During the inspection, bread samples and related condiments were collected directly from the production line, while additional samples of BON Bread were simultaneously purchased from the open market for independent laboratory analysis. The agency also reviewed the company’s regulatory history and noted that Food & Food Integrated Company Limited commenced bread production in 2006 and has successfully undergone several product licence renewals without any penalties, sanctions, or product recalls.
Laboratory findings revealed that the bread contained calcium propionate, a preservative commonly permitted in bread production globally to inhibit mould growth and extend shelf life. Crucially, the quantity of the preservative detected in the samples was within the permissible limits specified by the Codex Alimentarius, the internationally recognised food safety framework. The agency stated that the calcium propionate content from the three sets of BON Bread samples taken from both the production facility and the open market was satisfactory. Furthermore, NAFDAC confirmed that the bread samples did not contain any objectionable substances, including potassium bromate or non‑nutritive sweeteners, which have been banned or restricted in Nigeria.
Adeyeye emphasised that bread producers are legally permitted to adopt approved preservation practices that may extend the shelf life of their products, provided such practices comply with the requirements stipulated in the Codex Alimentarius, a standard endorsed worldwide. “Producers of bread are allowed to engage in practices that may extend the shelf life of their products, provided such practices meet the requirements as stipulated in the Codex Alimentarius,” the NAFDAC DG stated.
Based on the totality of the findings, the agency concluded that BON Bread poses no safety risk to consumers and that the manufacturer is not in violation of any NAFDAC regulations. “As a result of the foregoing, the public is hereby informed that the company is not in violation of any of the agency’s regulations,” Adeyeye declared in the statement.
The NAFDAC boss used the opportunity to caution members of the public against rushing to social media with complaints about regulated products without first reporting such concerns through official channels. She urged Nigerians to visit any NAFDAC office nationwide or use the agency’s electronic platforms and newly launched call centre to lodge complaints, stressing that this would ensure that matters are discreetly and thoroughly investigated before conclusions are drawn.
The development comes amid heightened public sensitivity to food preservation practices in Nigeria, particularly concerning additives and preservatives in processed foods. Industry observers say the incident highlights growing consumer awareness and scrutiny of food products, as well as the importance of regulatory agencies providing timely, scientific evidence to inform public discourse. NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to consumer protection and food safety, pledging that all allegations relating to regulated products would continue to receive prompt scientific investigation to safeguard public health and maintain confidence in the nation’s food supply chain.
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