CPC seeks review of standards, regulations on products’ safety

Following investigations carried out by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), on the possible quality issues affecting consumers of products of the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC), the Council has come up with recommendations that will ensure the safety and protection of the citizens.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Director-General of the council, Mrs Modupe Atoki, said based on the council’s investigations, it is imperative for regulatory action to be taken for the review of standards for soft drinks in Nigeria, adding that the existing regulation has been in existence since 2008 and is due for review.

She added that investigative analysis is also required to ascertain the integrity of soft drinks in the open market in the light of extremely low and inconsistent levels of benzoic acid in some sampled soft drinks.

She said the volume of acid in the products varies from one region to the other within Nigeria, a situation she said was unacceptable.She said another component of soft drinks named sunset yellow has been banned in some countries while other countries has labelling requirements for its use.

Atoki said the council will continue in its findings and has established collaborations with NAFDAC and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) noting that though the council does not set standards, but it can influence the setting of standards by sister agencies.

It will be recalled that a Lagos high court ruled that Fanta and Sprite may have the potential to be hazardous due to its incompatibility with the benzoic acid standards with other parts of the globe.