The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has taken action against Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company Limited for violating consumer rights.
According to a statement released by the FCCPC on Friday, the commission initiated an investigation in June 2019 after discovering that the companies had switched their Coke brand to non-nutritive sweeteners without transparently informing consumers of the change. The commission found that Coca-Cola and NBC violated transparency and disclosure obligations under the FCCPA on multiple occasions.
According to the FCCPC, the companies initially agreed to adopt clearer product descriptions and differentiations but later abandoned the agreement, opting for a different business strategy that failed to meet regulatory standards.
“Coca-Cola and NBC have made more spirited efforts at other interventions to address the regulatory concerns than measures to ensure compliance and discharge from the regulatory process,” the FCCPC stated.
The Final Order issued by the FCCPC on July 29, 2024, found Coca-Cola and NBC guilty of misleading trade descriptions, unfair marketing tactics, and deceptive trade practices.