Ouagadougou: Bakery managers and directors in Burkina Faso are being reminded of the critical importance of adhering to bread weight regulations and maintaining high hygiene standards in their establishments. This initiative is part of an awareness campaign spearheaded by the Burkinabe Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Quality (ABNORM).

According to Burkina Information Agency, ABNORM conducted a sensitization workshop on Tuesday, aimed at educating bakers about the necessity of respecting bread weight and implementing good hygiene practices. During the event, ABNORM Director General Habraham Somda highlighted that several bakeries fail to apply or are unaware of the required quality standards and bread weight regulations.

Mr. Somda addressed the opening of the workshop, which took place on April 29, 2025, in Ouagadougou. He emphasized the workshop's goal of encouraging bakery stakeholders to better adhere to the regulations concerning the production and marketing of bread.

Price and quality inspections conducted in 2024 revealed significant lapses in compliance across various regions of Burkina Faso. Some bakeries were found to be neglecting essential regulations related to quality, weight, and hygiene, Somda noted.

Dasman© Traor©, president of the Consumer League, expressed concerns about the prevalent poor hygiene practices observed in some bakeries. He pointed out the frequent sight of bakers in unclean overalls, the presence of mice, and cobwebs, which are indicative of substandard hygiene conditions. Traor© stressed the importance of this training to enhance hygiene standards in bakeries, as bread is a staple product consumed without prior washing.

Boukari Derra, human resources director of the HAJJAR group, assured that participants of the workshop are committed to taking the necessary steps to improve service quality, which will benefit the entire Burkinabe population.

The workshop will address various topics pertinent to the bakery industry, including fundamental hygiene practices and the application of metrology to bread production.