The Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, on Friday, 13th November, denied that the company ever used raw materials considered to be expired by NAFDAC.

He said that Guinness had already being granted extension on the ‘best before date’ from the supplier of the malt extract in question.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that NAFDAC imposed one billion naira fine on Guinness over alleged usage of expired raw materials in the company’s production lines.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, Sobowale said that the company usually considered due process in the way it destroyed expired raw materials.

He added that the company usually destroyed products and materials at Ado-Ode in Ogun State with relevant documents from government.

Sobowale, who is also Guinness Nigeria’s company Secretary, said that prior to the day NAFDAC visited the company’s warehouse, the company had fumigated the place on Oct. 25th to prevent rodents from entering the warehouse.

He added that when the company received a letter from NAFDAC, they sent a reply with the appropriate documents seeking approval of the extension of ‘best before date.’

He said that the company also received relevant papers from Ado-Ode Local Government on disposal of expired materials.

Other papers presented included the certificate of the pest control treatment from a company called AC Fumen International and the FSC 2200 ISO Certificate.

The Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, said that the company would not compromise on the highest standards of quality which were in line with globally accepted code of manufacturing practice.

He said that those standards had also been SO-Certified by NAFDAC and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Ndegwa added that Guinness believed more in its reputation than the financial benefits it gained from sale of its products.