Fanta and Sprite are Poisonous and Can Kill When You Mix with Vitamin C

A High Court sitting in Lagos has issued an ordered to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to direct the Nigeria Bottling Company Plc. – manufacturers of Sprite and Fanta soft drinks to include a caveat (warning notice) on the bottles of the two products – Sprite and Fanta, stating that their contents should not be taken with Vitamin C; to avoid health hazard that may cause death.

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Delivering judgment at the Lagos High court, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji gave the order following a suit filed by a businessman, Fijabi Adebo, and his firm, Fijabi Adebo Holdings Ltd. The legal action, which was instituted in 2008 by Fijabi Adebo, and his firm, Fijabi Adebo Holdings Ltd had Nigeria Bottling Company Plc and National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as defendants.

The Plaintiff’s lawyer, Abiodun Onidare, informed the court that his client bought large quantities of different products from Nigeria Bottling Company Plc. (NBC) for export to the United Kingdom (UK) but when they arrived at their destination, Fanta and Sprite failed UK Health Authorities’ (Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s Trading Standards Department of Environment and Economy Directorate) sample test for human consumption, as they became poisonous when mixed with Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

 The Plaintiff demanded N15.1 million as special damages and N1.6 million being the money the NBC admitted it received from the Plaintiff for then said transaction.

The defense Counsel to the Nigeria Bottling Company Plc. (NBC), Barrister T. O. Busari, argued that it was not negligent as claimed by the plaintiff, because his clients – the Nigeria Bottling Company Plc. has stringent quality control procedures to ensure that its products are safe for end-user consumption.

The NBC argued that the levels of the chemical components in its soft drinks, especially Fanta and Sprite are safe for consumption in Nigeria and that the claimants are not entitled to the recovery of damages arising from their illegal exportation of products meant for local distribution within Nigeria.

NAFDAC as the second Defendant did not file any defense in the case.

The High Court Judge, Justice Oyebanji in his ruling stated that the knowledge of the Nigeria Bottling Company that the products were to be exported was immaterial to its being fit for human consumption.

“The court is in absolute agreement with the learned counsel for the Plaintiff that soft drinks manufactured by the 1^st Defendant – Nigeria Bottling Company Plc. ought to be fit for human consumption irrespective of colour or creed,” he said.

He went further to state thus; “It is manifest that NAFDAC has been grossly irresponsible in its regulatory duties to the consumers of Fanta and Sprite manufactured by the 1^st Defendant – Nigeria Bottling Company Plc.”

Credit: Tell Force Blog

The judge said; NAFDAC had failed Nigerians by its certification as satisfactory for human consumption, products which in the United Kingdom failed sample test for human consumption and which become poisonous in the presence of Ascorbic Acid ordinarily known as Vitamin C, which can be freely taken by the unsuspecting public with the company’s Fanta or Sprite.

“The court, in the light of the damning evidence before it showing that NAFDAC has failed to live up to expectations, cannot close its eyes to the grievous implication of allowing the status quo to continue as it is,” the judge said.

The Court ruled that; “NAFDAC shall forthwith mandate Nigeria Bottling Company Plc. to, within 90 days hereof, include on all the bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks manufactured by the company, a written warning that the content of the said bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks cannot be taken with Vitamin C as same becomes poisonous if taken with Vitamin C.

“In consideration of the fact that this case was filed in 2008 and that it has been in court for nine years, costs of N2 million is awarded against NAFDAC. Interest shall be paid on the costs awarded at the rate of 10% per annum until liquidation of the said sum.”

Source: Premium Times