As a fall out of the benzoic acid controversy, CocCola brands including Coke, Fanta and Sprite has received a ban in Ebonyi state, a Southeast state in Nigeria.
The incident occurred yesterday when the Governor of the state, Governor David Umahi ordered the removal of the products from the state’s function.
According to Premium Times, the Governor David Umahi said “I don’t want these brands of soft drink to be served in any government function again”.
CocaCola has not officially responded to the incident.
It would be recalled that the company was ordered by a Lagos High Court to inscribe safety warnings on the bottle over the composition of of benzoic and ascorbic acids in Fanta and Sprite, two of the most consumed brands of soft drinks in Nigeria from CocaCola.
Nigerian bottling Company, the bottler of CocaCola brands in Nigeria said it will appeal the court judgement.
The ripple effect of the controversy might spread to other states should the company fail to engage policymakers on how it plans to address the matter.
The company is fully owned by CocaCola Hellenic PLC, a company which is quoted on the London and Athens Stock Exchanges.
