NAFDAC Registers Seven Rootera Food Products Developed By Umudike Food Innovate Ltd
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has granted registration certificates to Umudike Food Innovate Ltd for seven food products under its “Rootera” brand, in a major boost for value addition in Nigeria’s root and tuber crop sector.
The approved products are: Rootera Cassava Bread, Rootera Crunchy Chin Chin, Rootera Sweetpotato Bread, Rootera Sweetpotato Drink, Rootera Gari, Rootera Fufu Flour, and Rootera Strips.
The milestone comes shortly after the company’s incorporation as a private company limited by shares under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. NAFDAC registration providing the regulatory pathway for the products to enter Nigeria’s formal food market.
Umudike Food Innovate Ltd is focused on research, food processing and the commercialization of safe, nutritious and value-added products from root and tuber crops.
According to Dr. Ugo Chijioke, Coordinator of the Product Development Programme at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), the company’s mandate includes developing and commercializing innovative food products, as well as providing onboarding, incubation, and technical support to startups and entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector.
“Our business model is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain through research-driven innovation, enterprise development, and the promotion of commercially viable food solutions,” Dr. Chijioke said.
Operating under the ‘Rootera’ trade name, the company is transforming cassava, yam, sweetpotato, taro/cocoyam and other root and tuber crops into convenient, nutritious, and market-ready products.
The seven newly registered products span familiar categories — bread, snacks, beverages, and staple foods — reflecting the company’s strategy of moving beyond raw commodity sales to create higher-value food products.
Dr Ugo noted that expanding processed foods from locally available crops can create more opportunities for farmers, processors and entrepreneurs while reducing post-harvest losses.
Beyond product development, Umudike Food Innovate Ltd is positioning itself as an enabler for young agri-food entrepreneurs. Through incubation and technical support services, the company aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and the marketplace.
Rootera’s Market Ambition
The NAFDAC registration is expected to lay the foundation for wider market penetration and the continued development of new products.
Umudike Food Innovate Ltd aims to position ‘Rootera’ as a recognizable Nigerian agrifood brand that converts locally sourced agricultural resources into quality foods for domestic and, eventually, international markets.
About Umudike Food Innovate Ltd
Umudike Food Innovate Ltd is a Nigerian agrifood innovation company based at NRCRI, Umudike. Operating under the Rootera brand, the company focuses on research, product development, processing, commercialisation, and enterprise support with emphasis on root and tuber crops. Its goal is to promote agricultural value addition, support agri-food entrepreneurs, and contribute to job creation and food industry growth in Nigeria.