Nigerian court rules that Fanta and Sprite could be "poisonous"

A court in Nigeria has ruled that the Fanta and Sprite could be “poisonous”.

Justice Adedayo Oyebanji ordered the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) – the local manufacturer of the soft drinks -said the company should place labels on cans and bottles to tell customers about the supposed risk.

The popular drinks are made by Coca Cola, who have denied the claims.

“All our products are safe and strictly adhere to regulations in the countries where they are sold while complying with our company’s stringent global safety and quality standards,” the comapny said in a statement to the Independent newspaper.

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The court in Lagos made its ruling after determining that the company uses high levels of benzoic acid and additives in the soft drinks.

This, said the judge, could pose a health risk to consumers when mixed with ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C.

The NBC was also fined the equivalent of more than £5,000.

The ruling was the result of a nine-year-long court battle initiated by Nigerian businessman Fijabi Adebo.