Nigerians may be unknowingly risking their health through daily bread consumption, as researchers have uncovered high levels of harmful substances in many bread brands.
A study conducted in cities including Ado-Ekiti, Ile-Ife, Port Harcourt, Yobe, and Lagos revealed that some bread products contained excessive amounts of potassium bromate and toxic heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, and chromium.
Potassium bromate, banned in Nigeria since 2003 by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), remains in use by some bakers despite its known carcinogenic properties. The chemical is often added to improve dough elasticity and bread volume.
However, long-term consumption of bromate-contaminated bread has been linked to cancer, kidney failure, and other severe health conditions.
Global standards, including those set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), recommend a maximum potassium bromate level of 0.02 mg/kg in bread.
Alarmingly, many bread samples tested in Nigeria exceeded this limit, with levels reaching 0.05 mg/kg in some cases.
Researchers are calling for stricter monitoring of bakeries to prevent a looming public health crisis. NAFDAC has also reiterated its commitment to enforcing regulations and cracking down on violators to ensure consumer safety.
