The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and its sister agencies on Friday gave commendations to La Casera Company, the soft drinks maker, for maintaining a high quality standard in the production of its beverages and also for being in compliance with the different regulatory agencies – National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Speaking during a plant visit by the regulators, the Managing Director of La Casera Company, Mr. Roland Ebelt, said the company was delighted at the plant visit and stated that the visit would give the company the opportunity to showcase its upgraded world-class production lines.

He added that the visit gave NAFDAC, MAN and SON executives the opportunity to see for themselves the high premium the company places on producing innovative products and maintaining high quality standard in the making of its products.

Also speaking at the event, the Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, who was represented by her Special Assistant, Mr. William Effiok expressed great delight at the level of compliance and strict adherence to modern food and beverage production guidelines.

Mrs. Oni underscored the company’s ultra-modern production line which though covers a large area of space, and having several units such as the bottle blowing section, filling, capping and packaging units operated under very hygienic conditions, and worked under minimal human interference with a state-of-the-art automation process which can be compared to facilities found in other developed nations of the world.

“What we have witnessed today reaffirms La Casera’s commitment to producing a premium Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) with a product quality which satisfies all quality and safety requirement required for any beverage. Food handling and contact which happens to be a major entry point for contaminants in food processing and production, has also been grossly eliminated in La Casera’ production process, thereby making it safe, nutritious, and fit for human consumption.”

The Director General of the agency urged consumers to disregard unfounded rumours emanating from social media about the product quality as the product has the NAFDAC seal of quality, which implies it is safe for consumption.

Also lending his support, the Director, Product Certification, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Bayo Adigun, said:

“We appreciate the management team of The La Casera Company for hosting us on this visit and would like to state that this kind of partnership between regulators and manufacturers are aimed at supporting companies in making sure that they maintain their standard. We are partners and we would seek ways to protect the brand of respected companies like The La Casera Company,” he stated.

The Acting Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, who was also present at the event lauded La Casera’s management for its perseverance even during difficult economic times like now when many companies faced with harsh economic environment have closed shop and left.

Ajayi-Kadir commended the company for making such a huge investment in upgrading its manufacturing facility and urged them not to relent in their effort.