CPC investigates Nigerian Breweries over alleged health benefit claims of beer consumption

Nigerian Breweries had in media reportage of its recent symposium held in Lagos early July 2016 asserted that consumption of beer has many nutritional, health and therapeutic benefits.

CPC, in a swift reaction, has sent a notice of the commencement of investigation of the claims to the leading brewery company, quoting relevant sections of its law mandating it to protect consumers from misleading advertisement or information on any consumer item, among others.

The Council, in a letter signed by its Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, listed some of the claims, which include that beer is not an alcoholic beverage and that if taken regularly and in moderation has many defined nutritional and health benefits and can indeed be part of a healthy life style.

Other claims by the company also include that “beer consumption has therapeutic qualities such as prevention of kidney stones, increase in anti-oxidant activity in the body, reduction in the risk of heart disease and blood pressure management”.

The government agency expressed its reservation that the claims “in effect suggest that beer is a health drink and have the potential to lure unsuspecting consumers into unwholesome consumption of the product”, and therefore gave Nigerian Breweries 14 days to respond to the notice with relevant documents and to show proof of certification of its claims and registration with relevant agencies.