Coca-Cola Nigeria has refuted suggestions of consumer deception, emphasizing its commitment to complying with national regulations through the provision of transparent and accessible nutrition data.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has recently stated that Coca-Cola Nigeria and Nigeria Bottling Company Limited (NBC) face the possibility of fines for suspected violations of Consumer Rights Law.

But a statement from the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, said: “Coca-Cola Nigeria provides clear, accessible nutrition information on our packaging in line with national regulatory requirements and is committed to transparency for consumers.

“Our priority is safeguarding consumer interests and we will continue to work constructively with the government on this matter.

“We strongly believe that the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria has complied with all regulations and look forward to the opportunity to bring this topic to closure,” the statement explained.

This statement followed the FCCPC’s announcement that it would impose appropriate penalties in due course against Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and NBC over alleged violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.

The FCCPC alleged that Coca-Cola and NBC on multiple occasions violated, and remained in violation, of FCCPA, particularly concerning transparency and clear disclosure obligations to their product patrons.

It alleged that “contrary to Section 124(1)(a) of the FCCPA, Coca-Cola Nigeria markets Coca-Cola Original Taste Less Sugar in packaging first, indistinguishable, and now not sufficiently distinguishable from Coca-Cola Original Taste, contrary to Sections 123(1)(a), (b), and (c) of the FCCPA.

“Further, Coca-Cola and NBC after regulatory intervention still failed to take appropriate steps to modify misleading behaviour, demonstrating that the companies acted intentionally by misrepresenting Coca-Cola Original Taste Less Sugar as Coca-Cola Original Taste in a deliberate business strategy.

“NBC used identical packaging for both Zero Sugar and its 50:50 variant of Limca Lime-Lemon flavoured drink, misleading consumers and violating Sections 17(g), 116(1) & (2), and 123 of the FCCPA and Section 2(a) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act 2004.