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 food safety violations following a viral social media controversy. The agency's investigation found that the bread met all approved safety standards and did not contain harmful substances.
Origin of the Controversy
The dispute began on April 13, 2026, when a blogger named Love Dooshima posted a video claiming that a loaf of bread remained fresh for nearly two months without developing mould, sparking concerns over excessive preservatives. Although she did not name the brand, Food & Food Integrated Company Limited identified itself as the manufacturer and denied the allegations. The company subsequently filed a N50 million lawsuit against the blogger.
The situation escalated when the Nigeria Police Force detained Dooshima on April 20 after she responded to an invitation at the Zone 7 Police Headquarters in Abuja. She was released the following day after the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) also launched its own investigation into the matter.
NAFDAC's Findings
NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye stated that the agency conducted an investigative inspection of the company's Abuja bakery on April 20. Bread samples were collected from the production facility and the open market for laboratory testing. The company has been producing bread since 2006 and has consistently passed product licence renewals without penalties or recalls.
Laboratory analysis confirmed that calcium propionate was used as a preservative within safe limits approved by the Codex Alimentarius, an international food safety standard. All samples tested satisfactory and contained no harmful substances such as bromate or non-nutritive sweeteners. Adeyeye emphasized that the bread samples did not contain any objectionable substances.
NAFDAC's Message to Nigerians
Following the findings, NAFDAC officially cleared the company of any regulatory violations. The agency urged Nigerians to refrain from posting complaints about regulated products on social media without first reporting them through official channels. Adeyeye advised the public to visit NAFDAC offices nationwide or use the agency's electronic complaint platforms, including its recently launched call centre, to ensure complaints are handled discreetly and investigated thoroughly with scientific evidence.
NAFDAC reiterated that manufacturers may use preservatives to extend shelf life, but such practices must comply with approved global standards. With the BON Bread controversy resolved, the agency emphasized that consumer complaints should be guided by proper reporting channels rather than social media outrage.
Related Developments
The FCCPC also reacted to the viral bread review, initiating its own probe into the quality and safety of the product. The blogger, Love Dooshima, faced legal action from the baker, who sued her for N50 million following the video. The case highlights the growing tension between consumer advocacy and corporate reputation in the digital age.
