–  Threatens Legal Action If Neglected

An Owerri based lawyer, Barr Ephraim Okafor, of Okemuo chambers, has drawn the attention of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to the purchase of contaminated Fanta allegedly bought by his client from a sales outlet in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

Barr Okafor, in a letter he wrote on behalf of his client, Mr Evans Promise Nwaogwugwu said, “Our attention has been drawn to a disturbing case involving a contaminated bottle of Fanta drink purchased by Mr. Evans Promise Nwaogwugwu from a sales outlet in Owerri, Imo State.

The product, manufactured and distributed by the Nigerian Bottling Company (Coca-Cola Bottling Company), was discovered to contain a suspicious and potentially harmful substance. This raises serious public health and consumer safety concerns.

Following this discovery, a formal complaint was lodged with the Nigerian Bottling Company and copied to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Regrettably, more than a month has passed without any concrete action:

The Nigerian Bottling Company issued a denial and partly promised a meeting but failed to follow up.

NAFDAC has not acknowledged or acted upon the petition, despite its statutory responsibility to protect Nigerian consumers.

This silence and inaction not only jeopardize the health of our Client but also expose millions of Nigerians to similar risks”.

“We therefore demand the following.

1. An immediate investigation into the contaminated product by NAFDAC and FCCPC.

2. A public assurance from the Nigerian Bottling Company regarding the safety of its products.

3. Measures to recall and test affected batches to safeguard consumers.

4. Adequate compensation for the risks and distress suffered by our Client.

Next Steps:

We have issued pre-action notices to both the Nigerian Bottling Company and NAFDAC and have petitioned the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). Should there be continued neglect, we will have no option but to seek redress at the Federal High Court.

The health and safety of Nigerian consumers must never be compromised. We call on the relevant authorities to act urgently and decisively”.