In his keynote speech, the Managing Director of the La Caseracompany, Mr. Roland Ebelt, expressed the company’s delight at the plant visit and noted that the visit would afford the company the opportunity to showcase its upgraded world class production lines.

Mr. Ebelt said he was pleased that NAFDAC, MAN and SONexecutives visited the plant to witness the high premium it places on producing innovative products and maintaining high quality in the making of their products.

Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Yetunde Oni, represented by the Special Assistant, Mr. William Effiok, who expressed great delight at the level of compliance and strict adherence to modern food and beverage production guidelines after the tour of the La Casera production facility.

He also laid great emphasis on the firm’s ultra-modern production line which, though covering a large expanse, and having several units such as the bottle blowing section, filling, capping and packaging units; operated under very hygienic conditions, and worked under minimal human interference, with a state-of-the-art automation process which can be compared to those operated in other developed nations around the world.

“What we have witnessed today reaffirm La Casera’s commitment to producing a premium Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) with a product quality which satisfy all quality and safety requirement required for any beverage.

“Food handling and contact which happens to be a major entry point for contaminants in food processing and production, has also been grossly eliminated in La Casera’ production process, thereby making it safe, nutritious, and fit for human consumption.”

The DG therefore urged teeming consumers to disregard misleading information in any form, as the product has the NAFDAC seal for quality, which implies it has been subject to thorough product check and analysis, and has been duly certified.

Also Responding after the facility tour, The Director, Product Certification, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr Bayo Adigun said, “We appreciate the management team of The La Casera Company for hosting us on this visit and would like to state that this kind of partnership between regulators and manufacturers are aimed at supporting companies in making sure that they maintain their standard.

We are partners and we would seek ways to protect the brand of respected companies like The La Casera Company.”

According to Adigun, “The partnership between La Casera and SON dates way back and the La Casera brand’s approval is also not in question in any way.

“As regulators, our duty is not to stifle businesses, but we would rather be seen as growth partners, and a body responsible for ensuring that only excellent products which can compete across the globe are churned out to the public.

“We believe that companies who open their doors to us to conduct factory tours such as this have nothing to hide and are doing the right thing.

“We therefore hope to continue this partnership and good relationship with The La Casera Company and work together for the benefit of all stakeholders, including the consumers.”

The Acting DG, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, who was also present at the tour, appreciated the management of The La Casera Company for its doggedness even during times such as this when several companies are closing shop due to several economic reasons and in the face of limiting factors to business growth.

He also extolled the company on its visibly huge financial investment in the food and beverage sector, and therefore encouraged them not to relent in their effort.
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