Lagos will outlaw the sale of bottled beverages

The selling of drinks in plastic bottles that have been exposed to the sun is currently prohibited, according to the Lagos State Government.

This was revealed in a Friday interview with newsmen in Lagos by Mr. Afolabi Solebo, general manager of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA).

“Plastic bottled drinks are extremely carcinogenic and hazardous to health when exposed to continuous sunshine. Therefore, from now until the end of the year, it will be a part of our public education.

“In order that by 2023 we will not only confiscate these drinks but also prosecute anyone found to be displaying them in the open.

“We also want to meet with the producers of those bottled drinks to discuss stakeholder issues in order to get alternate items for distributors to display.

“The purpose of putting those things on show in the sun is to entice customers to make purchases. Therefore, placing dummies in the light has no effect because they mimic the actual thing, according to Solebo.

Consumables that kill slowly should be avoided, he advised.

Additionally, Solebo asked customers to make sure they always receive value for their money on all goods and services provided to them.

According to him, consumers have a legal right to protest if they feel they are not receiving value and satisfaction for their money and can do so by seeking redress.

The GM stated that, in addition to their legal rights, consumers also had obligations to make informed decisions, carefully consider their purchases, and acquire receipts for each item they made.

Therefore, consumers do have obligations in addition to their rights to safety, information, product clarity and quality, freedom of choice, and voice.

Additionally, they have the right to consumer education and, in particular, the right to seek redress in court or in our office; we turn to litigation when we are unable to reach an amicable resolution.