The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, on Thursday, said it will impose appropriate penalties in due course against Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) over alleged violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
The FCCPC management, in a statement, said it was convinced, based on evidence, that Coca-Cola and NBC on multiple occasions and counts violated, and remained in violation of FCCPA, particularly with respect to transparency and clear disclosure obligations to their product patrons.
It stated that the companies described their Coca-Cola “Original Taste, Less Sugar” variant as one and the same, as well as unchanged, “When in actual fact, same had, indeed, changed, was different, differently formulated and not the same as their otherwise classic, or Original Taste.
“One of the parties also attempted to, or misled the commission under Section 112 of the FCCPA.”
The commission said it opened a formal investigation against the companies between June 2019 and December 2020, as well as engaged repeatedly, seeking and securing vast internal documents and production logs to determine the veracity or otherwise of allegations that were subject of investigation or explanations provided by Coca-Cola and NBC.
Specifically, the commission said it found misleading trade descriptions under Section 116 FCCPA by continuing to mislead consumers to believing Coca-Cola Original Taste was not materially different from Coca-Cola Original Taste “Less Sugar”.
The consumer rights protection commission further highlighted unfair marketing tactics, “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.”
It said, “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.
“The commission found NBC applied deceptive trade descriptions to the two variants and supply these products to consumers, violating Section 116 (3) of the FCCPA.
“The commission has reserved the question of Abuse of Dominance and quantum of the penalty appropriate under the FCCPA and Administrative Penalties Regulation 2020 (APR) for further regulatory action, and same will be imposed in due course.”
James Emejo
Follow us on:
President Bola Tinubu on Friday declared that his purpose for seeking the nation's number one…
Kano state government is partnering Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to attract $23.5 million…
Nigeria's federal government has said it is currently reviewing the nation’s legal frameworks, among other…
The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Port Harcourt International Airport have been recognised…
https://cdn.veri.app/13646108-d5ec-478b-a54c-b01f60dbca29.mp4 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu On Thursday directed Vice President, Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s…
The United Sates (US) Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed her willingness to use her…
View Comments
O--8--0--67__39-_90--90
Delivery can be made to any LOCATION in Nigeria::::::::Some cars LISTED BELOW
Pprove by the INTERNAL ofNG,, opportunities to get a car of your choice at a minimum price E-Auction Vehicles/Cars For Sale of Rice...Motor
Mama Africa #17,000 •Tomatoes Rice # *15,000* •Cap Rice #15,000 •My Food #17,000 •Mama Gold #17,500 •Ade Brazil #15,000 •Elephant Gold #15,000 •Royal Umbrella #15,000 Etc.
Golf3= 400,000
((07071867893) (+234_707__1867_893)
Toyota Exterra=850,000
Toyota Camry big daddy=650,000
Toyota Venza= 1.7million
Toyota Avalon=850,000
Toyota Rav4=950,000
Toyota Prado=1.3million
TOYOTA HILUX=2million
Toyota Sienna=850,000
TOYOTA 4-RUNNER=950,000
Toyota Corolla=650,000
Toyota Matrix= 700,000
Toyota Highlander=950,000
Toyota Picnic=500,000
Tacoma 1.850,000
Toyota Hiace Bus=950,000
Toyota Tundra=1.8million
Toyota Sequola=900,000
BMW 5-series=1.960,000
BMW 3-series=1.640,000
BMW X6=2.670,000
Ford Edge=700,000
Ford Escape=600,000
Honda Elantra=600,000
Honda Baby-Boy=700,000
Dyna Truck 1.3m
TIPPER Head 6mill
Honda Accord=550,000
Honda CRV=650,000
HONDA CIVIC=500,000
HONDA EVIL-SPIRIT=750,000
HONDA ODYSSEY=500,000
Honda Pilot=850,000
Nissan pathfinder=800,000
Nissan Amanda=750,000
Infinity=950,000
Benz C250=N1.300,000
Benz C300=1.6MILLION
Benz ML350=2 million
Benz ML300=1.5 million
Benz ML550=2.6million
Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.3Million
Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.8Million
Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦4.Million
Es330 1.6
Lexus C5 350=1m950,000
IS250 1.7m
Lexus Rx300=1.2 million
Lexus Rx330=1.5 million
Is350 2mill
Gx470 3.2mill
Lexus Rx350= 2.8 million
ES350 2.6mill