Governor bans Fanta, Coke, Sprite drinks at government events

Following  decision of a Lagos State High Court , that fanta and sprite may contain high levels of two additives, benzoic acid and sunset yellow, which may be dangerous for human consumption, the Ebonyi State Governor , David Umahi has banned the consumption of these drinks including coke at government events in the state.

The Governor gave the directive  during a meeting with traditional rulers and town union executives in the state on Tuesday.

He had ordered  the ushers to remove all bottles of coke, sprite and fanta from the hall, saying “they are dangerous to health.”

Recall that in a suit between a businessman, Dr Emmanuel Fijabi Adebo and his company, Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited against NBC and National Agency for Food and Drug Admin­istration and Control (NAFDAC), the court had ruled that Fanta Orange and Sprite may be hazardous if consumed with vitamin C.

Consequently,  The Nigerian Bot­tling Company (NBC) PLC, had described as misleading and unfounded, reports credited to the Lagos High Court ruling that the company’s products are unsafe because the levels of Benzoic acid were not within the United King­dom (UK) standards.

Justice Adedayo Oye­banji of the Lagos High Court was quoted to have warned consumers to stop drinking Fanta and Sprite was well as Vi­tamin C in a judgement he delivered on Febru­ary 15, 2017 .