The Chief Executive Officer of Bon Bread, Maria Umeagwukadilo, has broken her silence following a viral TikTok video that questioned the safety and shelf life of her company’s bread products.
In an emotional address, the entrepreneur lamented that a two-minute social media clip has cast a shadow over two decades of hard work, describing the situation as both painful and damaging to her business.
Umeagwukadilo, who founded Bon Bread in 2006, recounted her journey from financial hardship to building a thriving enterprise employing about 80 staff and over 100 extended workers. She stressed that her brand has consistently adhered to strict regulatory standards set by agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Reacting to the viral claim that her bread lasted up to two months, she firmly rejected the allegation, insisting that Bon Bread operates a “produce-on-demand” model, baking only what has been ordered daily to ensure freshness.
“I wanted to understand where she got the bread from and how it could have stayed two months,” she said, revealing that attempts to engage the content creator privately were unsuccessful after she was reportedly blocked.
The CEO challenged the accuser to present evidence, calling for transparency and offering to jointly test the product in question. She also urged members of the public to independently verify the quality of her bread.
“If I say it is not true, it is my word against hers—go and test it,” she stated.
Umeagwukadilo further disclosed plans to publish her company’s regulatory certifications and laboratory test results spanning 20 years, maintaining that she has nothing to hide.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate on the power of social media and its potential impact on businesses, with supporters rallying behind the brand while others call for proper investigation into the claims.
As the situation unfolds, the Bon Bread boss says she remains open to scrutiny, expressing confidence that the truth will ultimately prevail.
