The House of Representatives on Wednesday directed the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, makers of Coca-Cola soft drinks, as well as other producers of carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks sold in Nigeria to as from January 2019, print expiry dates on all their products.
The bottling company was also directed to print labels on Fanta and Sprite drinks, warning that the products were harmful when consumed with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).
The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the production and distribution of soft drinks manufactured by the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) and other soft drinks producers in the country accused the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of compromise and failing in its duties to live up to its responsibility.
The Director General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, has asked its members to decline an invitation by the Federal House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee investigating the production and distribution of soft drinks manufactured by the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) and other drinks produced or marketed in Nigeria.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said on Monday that it does not have the capacity to carry out tests on all foods and drinks produced or imported into the country in order to certify them healthy for human consumption before their release into the market.
The agency also said that some additives and preservatives such as benzoic acid, sunset yellow and others, used in drinks produced or imported into the country were safe for human consumption.
The Ebonyi State Government has become the first State in Nigeria to restrict the consumption of Coca-Cola products in the state.
Concerned with the recent ruling by a Lagos State High Court against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) on the alleged health effects of consuming Fanta and Sprite, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi on Tuesday issued an order, banning the serving and consumption of Coke, Sprite and Fanta at government functions in the state.
Suntory Beverage & Food Nigeria Limited, makers of Lucozade has guaranteed its customers that Lucozade does not contain benzoic acid as stated in a recent laboratory report by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC). The company went on to say that its products are safe and healthy for human consumption.
The beverage giant, which took control of Lucozade and Ribena brands from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (“GSK Nigeria Plc”) last year said it became necessary to clarify the contents of its drink after media reports claimed that laboratory analysis conducted by the CPC showed high levels of benzoic acid in Lucozade, above the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) which is 250mg per kg.
Fijabi Adebo, the man at the center of the Fanta, Sprite High Court ruling has appealed the lower court’s judgement to an appellate Court seeking unspecified damages from the Nigerian Bottling Company (“NBC”).
In the appeal filed at a Lagos Apellate Court, his counsel, Mr. Abiodun Onidare, argued that the trial judge failed to award damages and grant the reliefs sought by the petitioner, Fijabi Adebo and his firm Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited against NBC.
The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) on Tuesday released its results of findings on the level of benzoic acid and sunset yellow found in Fanta and Sprite as well as other soft drink brands bottled in the country.
The Council said it was compelled to launch an investigation following the public outcry after a Lagos High Court ruled in the case of Fijabi Adebo and his firm Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC).
Fijabi Adebo and his firm Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited has become synonymous with the ongoing dispute between the Nigerian Bottling Company (“NBC”), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (“NAFDAC”), a Lagos High Court and the Federal Ministry of Health. Mr. Adebo recently spoke on his travails and events that led up to the recent court judgement.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, has challenged the Federal Ministry of Health claims that Fanta and Sprite, both products of the Nigerian Bottling Company (“NBC”) are safe for human consumption.
Prof. Izevbigie, who spoke at a media parley in Benin City, said that the Health Ministry’s claims did not fully address the safety raised by the court ruling.
A Lagos high Court had instructed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to compel the NBC to insert a written warning on its products that Fanta and Sprite could not be consumed with Vitamin C.
