Coca-Cola, NBC get Final Warning From FCCPC Over Misleading Product Descriptions

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a final warning against Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) over issues bordering misleading product descriptions and unfair marketing practices.

The order, delivered on July 29 details several violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) by the companies.

In a statement published on the FCCPC’s X account (formerly Twitter), the final order reveals that Coca-Cola and NBC engaged in misleading trade practices, particularly concerning the Coca-Cola “Original Taste” and “Less Sugar” variants.

According to the Commission Coca-Cola Nigeria’s marketing of the “Less Sugar” variant misled consumers into believing it was not significantly different from the original formula, contrary to Section 116 of the FCCPA, which prohibits misleading trade descriptions.

In addition to misleading trade descriptions, the FCCPC identified unfair marketing tactics under Section 124(1)(a) of the FCCPA.

The Commission noted that Coca-Cola’s packaging for the “Original Taste Less Sugar” variant was initially indistinguishable from the original Coca-Cola packaging, further complicating consumer recognition. The lack of clear differentiation between the two products contravened Sections 123(1)(a), (b), and (c) of the FCCPA, which mandate transparent and accurate product labelling.

Muzha Kucha