CPC Bares Fangs, Gives NBC Seven-day Ultimatum on Fanta, Sprite
To conduct broad, independent investigation
The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigeria Bottling Company (CPC) to furnish it with answers with regards to the recent ruling that consumption of Fanta and Sprite with Vitamin C could lead to serious adverse effects.
The Director General of CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, at a briefing yesterday in Abuja, said the answers being demanded from NBC is to enable the agency carry out a broad and independent investigation for the benefit of Nigerian consumers.
Atoki said the council is keenly interested and extremely concerned about the questions that have arisen for the Lagos State High Court ruling in the case between Fijabi Adebo Holdings Ltd and Nor versus NBC & Nor: Suit no. LD/13/2008.
She stressed that based on the discoveries and reactions from members of the public, CPC’s launch of a detailed investigation is a matter of urgency.
According to her, the judgment only serves as the subject of bringing the information to CPC’s attention.
She said: “CPC’s interest is not far fetched; for years, Fanta, Sprite and Coca-Cola have arguably and consistently been the most widely consumed beverages in Nigeria. The spectrum of consumption is also perhaps the widest, with consumption starting as early as four and far into adult years.
“In addition, Vitamin C is one of the most consumed medications for both children and adults, both as a matter of prescription/over the counter and, or as dietary supplement. Essentially both the NBC products and Vitamin C are routinely consumed in Nigeria with absolutely no restrictions to access and availability.”
Atoki said the council in its ongoing investigation, aims to find among other things whether: Sprite/Fanta at the time of production, is potentially harmful to consumers when consumed with Vitamin C; If yes, what is NBC’s obligation to consumers and has NBC fully discharged that obligation; Pursuant to the CPC Act, the Council is interested in discovering what steps if any, NBC took after the testing and confistication of Fanta and Sprite by the United Kingdom (UK) authority.
To this end, CPC in a letter to NBC dated March 15, 2017, requested it to provide the information if: Any and all papers, processes, statements, affidavits, motions, arguments, exhibits filed in the case that was the subject of the judgment of Justice Adedayo Oyebanji in the suit; identify every witness that NBC intended to present at the trial, including all witnesses who testified, and others who intended but who did not testify, and each witness’ position and role in NBC must be identified in the submission.
The CPC boss in the letter also asked the compnay to identify any non-NBC employee or experts who testified or were intended to testify during the trial; provide the composition of the products otherwise known as Fanta and Sprite.
She however, noted that the information maybe commercially sensitive and assured it’s confidentiality.
Atoki further demanded for any and all quality assurance or laboratory tests conducted by NBC or commissioned by NBC, or that have come within the control of NBC with respect to Fanta and Sprite between 2008 and March 2017.
She also asked the company to identify the custodian of composition and component of Fanta and Sprite in the UK and United States.
“You are required to provide the information above within seven days, and in any case, no later than March 23, 2017,” CPC demanded in the letter.
The council said its demands is Pursuant to extant provision of the CPC Act Cap 25, LFN 2004 (CPC Act) and relies on Sections 2(a), (b) (d), (i) and (j); 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18.