The Consumer Protection Council has given a seven day ultimatum to the manufacturer of Fanta and Sprite, Nigerian Bottling Company to furnish it with information on the composition of Fanta and Sprite in order to further determine the safety of consumers in Nigeria.
The ultimatum became necessary in view of a ‘broad and detailed investigation’ being launched by the CPC into the safety of Fanta and Sprite following the judgment of a Lagos State High Court that raised questions in respect of the products.
Speaking in Abuja yesterday, Director General, CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki told the Point that key questions which CPC investigation shall determine include whether or not Fanta and Sprite are potentially harmful when consumed with vitamin C, adding that if the answer is in the affirmative, ‘NBC obligations should be determined as well as the extent of compliance, in the interest of consumers.’
‘The judgment serves as a subject of bringing this information to council’s attention,’ she said, stating that the agency would conduct its own independent investigation.
Atoki said pursuant to the Act establishing the Consumer Protection Council, the Council is interested in discovering what steps NBC took, if any, after the testing and confiscation of Fanta and Sprite by the UK authorities.
The agency’s boss said that the information being requested from the company also includes ‘any and all quality assurance or laboratory tests conducted or commissioned by NBC, or that have come within the control of NBC with respect to Fanta and Sprite between 2008 and 2017, adding that NBC has also being ordered to identify the custodian of composition of Fanta and Sprite in the UK.
