It may not be a common practice in this part of the world to see consumers read the nutritional guides and product contents of consumables. Some consumers, perhaps, due to health related reasons like allergy or just responsibility, still make out time to check just what they are taking in before consuming their beverages or drinks. In a country like ours, where the regulatory authorities are not alive to their responsibilities and manufacturers take advantage of their negligence, to what extent can we rely on the nutritional facts and content information we see?
I remember drinking a popular soft drink, renowned for its high sugar content, that had a sugar free label on it. I had seen the product's advert some days ago, where they vehemently assured that the product had a zero level There was absolutely no difference between the so called sugar free brand and the other. Its also common to see juice makers claim, that only natural fruits were used in the production of such juices and that they are free from artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and sweeteners. A taste of these drinks will cast doubts over such claims.
Another disturbing trend is the deceptive net weight of these products. Many producers have made their packages heavier,cunningly reduced their quantity and tag misleading net weight on their products.
Whose responsibility is it to safeguard the health of the consuming public that usually takes serious things for granted? NAFDAC or SON? So How Reliable Are The Nutritional Facts and Content Guides of Consumables? Kindly Share your observation(s) and experience(s).