By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has called for review of the law regulating the use of Benzoic acid and other additives in foods and soft beverages manufactured in Nigeria.
The current standard which has been in existence since 2008 is overdue for review, Director-General of CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, emphasized at a news conference in Abuja recently.
She said the requirement for review of such standards is pegged for every five years.
According to her, new legislation on limits of additives and preservatives has become necessary “because of the high level of Benzoic acid found in isolated cases of Mirinda and Lucozade” when both were tested in laboratory.
“The council has called for further regulatory investigative analysis action and review in the levels of the additives in the products,” Atoki declared.
She disclosed that independent laboratory analysis carried out by the council confirmed that Fanta and Sprite are fit for human consumption.
The CPC boss said the additive contents of both soft drinks are “within the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) limits of Benzoic acid and Sunset Yellow.”
She stated that National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) had been informed about the results of the laboratory investigations carried out by the council.
Atoki added having regard to Sunset Yellow, CPC has recommended “regulatory action for a review of the standard as some countries have already reduced the approved limits, while some have labeling requirements for its use, and others have adopted its outright ban.”
Consumer Protection Council in the course of its investigation, Atoki related, obtained 65 samples of soft drinks from the open market in eight locations within the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Products sampled were Fanta Orange, Sprite, Mirinda and Lucozade, she narrated.
“These samples,” she assured, “were sent to Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) – a laboratory under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology – for the analysis of the levels of Benzoic acid and Sunset Yellow in the products.”
Atoki told reporters that the approved NIS limit for Benzoic acid is 250mg/kg when combined with Ascorbic acid also known as Vitamin C, and 300mg/kg without ascorbic acid.
As specified by Codex Alimentarius Commission and NAFDAC, Sunset Yellow is 100mg/kg, which is similar to standards in China, South Africa and Middle East, she pointed out.
The director-general stressed that the results of the tests carried out by SHESTCO revealed Benzoic acid levels in Fanta Orange as ranging from 5.09mg/L – 197.0mg/L. Sprite contains 262mg/L – 239.0mg/L.
Mirinda, a product of 7Up Bottling Company contains 0.56mg/L – 330.9mg/L; and Lucozade, formerly produced by Glaxo Smithkline 2.26mg/L – 323.5mg/L of Benzoic acid.
Atoki said the laboratory results also revealed that the levels of Sunset Yellow in 32 samples of Fanta Orange were within the rangeof 23.1mg/L – 35.5mg/L, while those of Mirinda ranged between 26.1mg/L and 34.0mg/L, and those of Lucozade ranged from 22.7mg/L – 30.0mg/L.
CPC, Atoki said, found that Benzoic acid levels in some of the sampled soft drinks which were obtained from the open market recorded “extremely low levels of 0.56mg/L to 2.26mg/L, and that the results also showed isolated cases of Mirinda and Lucozade with Benzoic acid levels od 330.9mg/L and 323.53mg/L respectively, which are above the NIS limit.”
The CPC’s investigation came on the heels was prompted by public outcry and consumers’ apprehension following the action at a Lagos High Court in a suit filed by Fijabi Adebo Holdings Ltd and Dr. Emmanuel Fijabi Adebo against Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC), makers of Fanta and Sprite, and NAFDAC.
The plaintiff alleged that Fanta Orange and Sprite may have the potentials to be hazardous due to their incompatibility with Benzoic acid standards in the United Kingdom (UK).
Atoki explained that Benzoic acid, a preservative used in food and soft drinks inhibits microbial growth and helps in the achievement of shelf life in products where it is used, and it also helps to retain the integrity of soft drinks so that taste, colour and flavor are consistent over the shelf life period.
Sunset Yellow which is a petroleum-derived orange azo dye widely used in the production of soft drinks, ice creams, pastries, among others gives a pleasant appearance to food and drinks, the CPC leader elaborated.
