FANTA, SPRITE SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH CERTIFIES
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/03/fanta-sprite-safe-for-consumption.html

The Federal Ministry of Health yesterday clarified the position of Fanta and Sprite, certifying both drinks as safe for consumers.
This development arises from the recent court judgement on a case filed by Fijabi Holdings versus Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), both joined as a nominal party.
The court had ordered NAFDAC to order NBC to issue a mandatory warning on its Fanta and Sprite products, stating that the contents should not be taken with Vitamin C in order to avoid poisoning
According to the statement signed by Akinola Boade, Director of Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health, the findings of the Ministry’s investigation revealed that 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.
On whether the levels of additives introduced as preservatives are within specification or not, the statement revealed: “Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the organ established by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) to set internationally recognised 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.”
The statement also clarifies that the Coca-Cola products manufactured in Nigeria are safe for consumption in view of the following reasons: “Risk assessment was conducted to ascertain maximum limits of food additives acceptable in foods; this takes into consideration the environmental, storage and distribution conditions as well as the shelf life of food products; NAFDAC and SON regularly monitor the manufacturing practices of food industries and conduct laboratory analysis to ascertain continuous compliance with required national standards; there was a routine inspection conducted at Nigeria Bottling Company by NAFDAC officers in December 2016 which was satisfactory.”
There has been widespread public fear that Fanta and Sprite produced by NBC Nigeria failed the UK benzoic test and therefore harmful to consumers. But the statement from the health ministry also clarified the difference between the standard of Fanta and Sprite in Nigeria and United Kingdom.
According to the statement, “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); and Food products being imported into a country must comply with the relevant standards of the destination country.”
The statement also revealed that 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,” said the ministry in the statement.
“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. For the benefit of the health of all Nigerians, all bottling companies are encouraged to insert advisory warnings on all products as necessary,” the Federal Ministry of Health advised.
The Honourable Minister of Health had summoned a meeting of the Department of Food and Drug Services, Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to address the issues raised by the judgement.

hmmmm
so fanta and sprite are now safe for human consumption? for me oooo, I no take any minerals anymore, my wine is ok

confused sycophants

Death by diet

I don't trust these people. Is it because we are in a tropical region dat d benzoic limit of consumption is higher compared to dat of UK? It's cos its a big company so they must defend it for d continuous flow of the large revenue they get from dem. I will reduce my intake of all these soft drinks and be good with water Wey no get enemy

Lincoln275:
hmmmm
so fanta and sprite are now safe for human consumption? for me oooo, I no take any minerals anymore, my wine is ok

Wine did you say? That one is worse. It's more prone to adulteration than any other beverage out there.

Control damage. Too late

Lincoln275:
hmmmm
so fanta and sprite are now safe for human consumption? for me oooo, I no take any minerals anymore, my wine is ok

na wine na com dey safe for drinking?

So, was the court wrong?

We no get choice sef
The sun is just too much

dey don go behind to collect their usual. Dey sha nor go kill us

e kuku don tey wey I drink any Coca-Cola products. no yawa

Solowande:
na wine na com dey safe for drinking?

u hear anything about wine? wine is good for ur heart man

obyrich:
Wine did you say? That one is worse. It's more prone to adulteration than any other beverage out there.

tell me more, are u now saying my doctor is lying wen he told ne that red wine Is good for heart?

Lincoln275:

tell me more, are u now saying my doctor is lying wen he told ne that red wine Is good for heart?

No, he didn't lie. Red wine is good for the heart I hope he told you how to spot the difference between genuine red wine and the imitations in the market. That's where my emphasis lies.

Lincoln275:

tell me more, are u now saying my doctor is lying wen he told ne that red wine Is good for heart?

Dear, did your doctor test the content of that wine in any laboratory before endorsing it fit for you?
Make sure it's not a coloured chemical that you are consuming.

njideoby:

Dear, did your doctor test the content of that wine in any laboratory before endorsing it fit for you?
Make sure it's not a coloured chemical that you are consuming.

my doctor said red wine not color water or any ordinary

obyrich:
No, he didn't lie. Red wine is good for the heart I hope he told you how to spot the difference between genuine red wine and the imitations in the market. That's where my emphasis lies.

ok, am glad to tell u that i know how to do that very well. thanks

Lincoln275:

my doctor said red wine not color water or any ordinary

Who has taken time to properly check the actual content of the so called RED WINES imported into this country daily.