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LequteMan
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The Federal Government may place a ban on the sale of Mirinda and Lucozade beverages in Nigeria.
According to the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) both drinks are unsafe for human consumption as they contain benzoic acid level above the limit approved by the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS).
In a statement yesterday in Abuja CPC said while the NIS limit for benzoic acid is 250mg/Kg, when combined with Vitamin C and 300mg/Kg without Vitamin C, test revealed that Mirinda, a product of 7UP Bottling Company, contained benzoic acid ranging between 0.56mg/L to 330.9mg/L.
It said Lucozade, formerly produced by Glaxo SmithKline, contained the acid between 2.26mg/L to 323.53mg/L.
According to experts, benzoic acids may react with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in some soft drinks, forming small quantities of benzene, which causes cancer and other ailments. Benzene has also been linked with bone marrow failure, acute leukemia and aplastic anemia.
CPC said NAFDAC and SON have been informed of the development, saying “benzoic acid limits in soft drinks as the current standard, which has been in existence since 2008 is overdue for review.”
The Council further said the test found that benzoic acid levels in Fanta Orange ranged from 5.09mg/L to 197.0mg/L while that of Sprite ranged from 2.82mg/L to 239.0mg/L, indicating that both soft drinks were safe for Nigerian consumers as they contained benzoic acid within the limit approved by the NIS.
According to the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) both drinks are unsafe for human consumption as they contain benzoic acid level above the limit approved by the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS).
In a statement yesterday in Abuja CPC said while the NIS limit for benzoic acid is 250mg/Kg, when combined with Vitamin C and 300mg/Kg without Vitamin C, test revealed that Mirinda, a product of 7UP Bottling Company, contained benzoic acid ranging between 0.56mg/L to 330.9mg/L.
It said Lucozade, formerly produced by Glaxo SmithKline, contained the acid between 2.26mg/L to 323.53mg/L.
According to experts, benzoic acids may react with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in some soft drinks, forming small quantities of benzene, which causes cancer and other ailments. Benzene has also been linked with bone marrow failure, acute leukemia and aplastic anemia.
CPC said NAFDAC and SON have been informed of the development, saying “benzoic acid limits in soft drinks as the current standard, which has been in existence since 2008 is overdue for review.”
The Council further said the test found that benzoic acid levels in Fanta Orange ranged from 5.09mg/L to 197.0mg/L while that of Sprite ranged from 2.82mg/L to 239.0mg/L, indicating that both soft drinks were safe for Nigerian consumers as they contained benzoic acid within the limit approved by the NIS.
