A recent judicial verdict on the dangers of taking Fanta and Sprite with Vitamin C has compelled the House of Representatives to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the quality of products from the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited.
At Wednesday’s plenary, the Lower House adopted a motion titled: “Need to Protect Nigerians From Harmful Effects of Fanta and Sprite Beverages Produced by the Nigerian Bottling Company.”
It was sponsored by Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye.
The lawmakers directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to quickly investigate the chemical composition of carbonated drinks manufactured and sold in the country.
The Federal High Court, Lagos had ruled that the NBC should impose a warning on its Sprite and Fanta labels that taking the soft drinks is dangerous to one’s health because of the presence of higher levels of benzoic and ascorbic acids in the products.
Moving the motion, Agunsoye said that Fanta and Sprite produced by the NBC contains 250 mg/kg as against the internationally-accepted 150mg/kg of the two acids, adding that the court ordered that NBC to inscribe on both products that consumers cannot take them with Vitamin C.
The lawmaker recalled that the NBC’s products were tested by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Trading Standard Department of Environment and Economy Directorate in the United Kingdom and found them to be harmful for human consumption.
Agunsoye said as representatives of Nigerians, the House should carry out an independent investigation into the quality of the products since it had been described as dangerous to humans in another country.
Hon. Archibong Henry, who supported the motion, expressed displeasure that the NBC had explained in court that the products which failed tests in the UK weren’t produced for export.
He said: “What they are trying to say is that Nigerians are animals. Judging from Nigeria’s large population, you can imagine the huge amount of money NBC makes from sales, yet their response, was that the drinks were not to be sold outside the country.”
The Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor and Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari, urged caution and appealed to the House to only take a position after the committee presents its report.
Shagari said that with the advent of the social media, a few products had been de-marketed through unconfirmed stories on them.
He said: “Now, we have heard of plastic rice. So, we have to be careful, investigate and wait for whatever the committee comes up with.”
The Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said that with the court ruling, the danger posed by consuming Fanta and Sprite with Vitamin C had been proven.
Gbajabiamila said that “Nigerians should not be experimented with. Life is sacred and we have the mandate to protect the people.”
The House however rejected the suggestion by Hon. Femi Fakeye, that the lawmakers should order the suspension of the distribution of Fanta, Coke and Sprite until its investigation was concluded.
The Federal Ministry of Health had on Saturday clarified the position of government on the matter, when it certified both drinks safe for consumption.
The action of the Federal Government came after a court judgement on the case filed by Fijabi Holdings and another against NBC and NAFDAC.
The ministry, in a statement signed by the Director Media and Public Relations, Akinola Boade, said investigations it conducted showed that both benzoic acid and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) are ingredients approved by the International Food Safety regulators and used in many food and beverage products across the world.
Thursday, 23 March 2017
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Dangerous Acid in Fanta, Sprite: Reps Probe Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC)
Dangerous Acid in Fanta, Sprite: Reps Probe Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC)
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