Skip to main content

Federal ministry of health clarifies on safety of Coca-Cola Products in Nigeria. Everything you need to know

Arising from the recent court judgement on the case filed by Fijabi Holdings and another versus Nigeria Bottling Company and NAFDAC (joined as a nominal party), the Honourable Minister of Health summoned a meeting of the Department of Food and Drug Services, Federal Ministry of Health, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to address the related issues.

The following were the findings:

1. Both Benzoic acid and Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) are ingredients approved by International Food Safety regulators and used in many food and beverage products around the world.

2. Are levels of additives introduced as preservatives within specification?

· Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the organ established by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) to set internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines relating to foods, food production, and food safety.

· In the case of Benzoic acid, the standard set by Codex was 600mg/kg until recently reviewed to 250mg/kg and adopted in 2016. (CODEX STAN 192–1995 revised 2015 and 2016).

· With reference to the Codex standard and other relevant documents, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as the standard setting body in Nigeria in consultation with technical experts and relevant stakeholders elaborated the standard of benzoic acid in soft drinks to be at 250mg/kg based on the National climatic and storage conditions. This standard has been in existence since 1997 and revised in 2008. (NIS 217:2008)

· The levels of benzoic acid in Fanta (1 batch) and Sprite (2 batches) presented by the claimant in the court are 188.64mg/kg, 201.06mg/kg and 161.5mg/kg respectively.

· These levels are in compliance with both the Codex and Nigeria Industrial Standards.

3. Are Coca-Cola products manufactured in Nigeria safe for consumption?

· Yes, the Coca-Cola products manufactured in Nigeria are safe for consumption in view of the following reasons:

a. Risk assessment was conducted to ascertain maximum limits of food additives acceptable in foods.

b. This takes into consideration the environmental, storage and distribution conditions as well as the shelf life of food products.

c. NAFDAC and SON regularly monitor the manufacturing practices of Food industries and conduct laboratory analysis to ascertain continuous compliance with required national standards.

d. There was a routine inspection conducted at Nigeria Bottling Company by NAFDAC officers in December, 2016 which was satisfactory.

4. Why is there difference between the standard of Fanta and Sprite in Nigeria and the United Kingdom?

· With reference to the Codex standards, each country or region is permitted to adapt a standard/limit based on country specific scientific evidence such as environmental, storage and distribution conditions.

· Benzoic acid as a preservative prevents the growth of microorganisms which thrive more at higher climatic temperatures like in Nigeria.

· Due to the different environmental conditions obtainable in the UK, the standard for benzoic acid was set at a lower limit of 150mg/kg while in Nigeria it was set at 250mg/kg even below that of Codex (as at time of production of that batch; Codex limit was 600mgkg).

· Food products being imported into a country must comply with the relevant standards of the destination country. NAFDAC has processes in place to ensure products imported into the country are evaluated to ascertain compliance with required Nigeria Industrial Standards.

The claimant did not obtain NAFDAC certification before export, otherwise, he would have been advised on the required standard of the destination country.
Advisory

5. In view of the above, we would like to advise all Nigerians to take medicines with potable water. This would help to prevent unexpected drug-food interactions.

6. For the benefit of the health of all Nigerians, all bottling companies are encouraged to insert advisory warnings on all products as necessary.

Akinola Boade
Director, Media and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Health

Source : Medium 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE AKWA IBOM STATE Government , HOTEL BOOKING LIMITED SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON WEB DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

Akwa Ibom State Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hotel Booking Limited to train youths of the state on Web development and design. At the new Secretariat Annex, office of the Chairman, Foreign Direct Investment, Mr. Gabriel Ukpe, venue of the Ceremony, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Nse Udo Essien in company with other State Government Officials signed on behalf of the State Government while Hotel Booking Limited was led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company, Mr. Mark Essien. Speaking, Dr. Nse Essien said the gesture was in line with the five point agenda of the present administration geared towards engaging our youths positively, creating jobs and alleviating poverty in the state. According to the Commissioner, between 150 – 500 youths would be trained on web design and development using the Ibom e-library and remote locations. He said a platform would be created for intended participants. “The essence of the Memor...

Do you know you can get up to 10,000,000 Collateral free loan from CBN, with an interest rate of 5% per annum for up to 7 years tenor?

How to access up to 10-million-naira collateral-free CBN loan for small businesses and individuals. The Central Bank of Nigeria is giving collateral-free loans of up to N10,000,000 (Ten million Naira) to small businesses in a scheme called; Agric-Business/Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS). INTRODUCTION The Scheme supports governments policy measures for the promotion of agricultural businesses, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as vehicles for sustainable economic development and employment generation. Objectives of the Scheme To improve access to affordable and sustainable finance by Agri-businesses, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Create employment opportunities in Nigeria. Boost the managerial capacity of agri-businesses and MSMEs to grow the enterprises into large corporate organizations in line with Federal The government’s agenda to develop the real sector and promote inclusive growth. Eligible sectors/businesses 1....

OZUBULU MASSACRE: THE HIDDEN TRUTH REVEALED

Following different versions of false news peddled by the Nigerian media and most regrettably, respected individuals, to narrate the very unfortunate incident that happened at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, We, in our culture has dug out the details of this event and how it deteriorated to the August 6 massacre. Aloysius Ikegwuonu (Bishop), presently a drug baron in South Africa, was born in 1981 to the family of Chief Ikegwuonu, Amakwa Ozubulu. He grew up in a very poor home and often helped his mother who trades at Orie Akpu market, Off Ugwu Orie Bus Stop, Amakwa Ozubulu. 'Aloyee' as fondly called by his friends in his early youth stage, first came to limelight in 1999 when he became the senior prefect of Comprehensive Secondary School, C.S.S., (formerly College of Basic Studies, C.B.S.) Egbema Ozubulu; a school founded by Reverend Father Nwabaju Izuchi, a United States based Catholic priest. Right after his secondary school studies which he finished after his ...