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How to identify Coca-Cola products with ‘artificial sweetener’ – FCCPC

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How to identify Coca-Cola products with ‘artificial sweetener’ – FCCPC

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has revealed findings from a recent investigation into Coca-Cola Nigeria and Nigerian Bottling Company, accusing the companies of engaging in misleading branding and anti-competitive practices.

In a comprehensive report, the FCCPC highlighted that many consumers are unaware of significant differences between certain Coca-Cola products. Specifically, the report pointed out that products labeled as “Original Taste” contain full sugar, while those with less sugar use artificial sweeteners.

“There is a distinct difference between these products, but Coca-Cola doesn’t want you to know,” the FCCPC stated.

According to the Mr Tunji Bello-led FCCPC, the branding issue affects four products produced by the companies with respect to two flavours, which include Coke Original and Coke Less Sugar as well as Limca Lime-Lemon flavour (2kcal) and Limca Lime-Lemon flavour (53kcal).

“Regarding the Coke variants—Original and Less Sugar—the nutritional information for both products varies significantly, and they have separate NAFDAC registration numbers,” the report noted. “However, Coca-Cola Nigeria, in its submission to the Commission, identifies them as different variations of the Cola flavor. Yet, there is minimal distinction in the packaging and advertisement of these products.”

The report elaborated on the subtle differences, noting that phrases like “ORIGINAL TASTE- LESS SUGAR” and “ZERO SUGAR” are printed in small text on the product labels, making it difficult for consumers to differentiate between the variants.

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Parts of the report

The FCCPC’s scrutiny began in June 2019 when the Commission became aware of Coca-Cola Nigeria’s shift from using regular sugar to non-nutritive sweeteners in some of its products.

On July 29, 2024, the Commission issued its Final Order to Coca-Cola and NBC, outlining several findings, including allegations of misleading trade descriptions under Section 116 of the FCCPA and unfair marketing tactics contrary to Section 124(1)(a).

The Commission, however, reserved the question of Abuse of Dominance and quantum of the penalty appropriate under the FCCPA and Administrative Penalties Regulation 2020 (APR) for further regulatory action, saying same will be imposed in due course.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Nigeria and its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, have denied allegations from the FCCPC that their product labels are misleading.

In a statement released on August 1, 2024, the company clarified that its product labels provide clear and accessible nutrition information, fully complying with national regulations. It emphasised its commitment to transparency and consumer protection.

“Our priority is safeguarding consumer interests,” the statement said. “We are committed to working constructively with the government to address this issue. We are confident that we adhere to all regulations and look forward to resolving this matter.”

How to identify Coca-Cola products with ‘artificial sweetener’ – FCCPC

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OSSAP-SDGs inaugurates 20-bed health centre in Oyo community

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November 6, 2024

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From left: House of Reps member, Prince Akeem Adeyemi; Nura Ali Rano, Representing OSSAP-SDGs; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; Senator Yunus Akintunde, and Oyo APC Chairman, Alhaji Moshood Abass, during the cutting of the tape to inaugurate the health centre

OSSAP-SDGs inaugurates 20-bed health centre in Oyo community 

The Office of Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals has inaugurated a 20-bed primary health centre and renovated the existing primary health facility at Isokun in the Oyo West area of Oyo State.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, at a brief handover ceremony, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and dedication to collaborating with sub-national governments to deliver crucial interventions and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria.

Represented by Nura Ali Rano at the event, Orelope-Adefulire stressed the importance of the SDGs as a global call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030.

She also spoke on the need to prioritize interventions with significant impact on multidimensional poverty, such as basic healthcare, vocational skills development and education, in alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She said strategic projects such as the Mother and Child Centre had become essential given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oyo Central Senator, Dr Yunus Akintunde, who facilitated the project, expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu and OSSAP-SDGs for selecting his constituency for the significant project.

He described the primary health centre as the biggest in Oyo State while emphasising the state’s commitment to fully utilising the facility, as part of a broader plan to of mitigation that will reduce the need for residents to seek medical treatment outside the constituency.

Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu commended OSSAP-SDGs for the good job and bringing such a world-class facility to the Oyo central constituency.

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Physiotherapist: Cellphone, laptop use can increase dementia risk

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1 week ago

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November 4, 2024

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Physiotherapist: Cellphone, laptop use can increase dementia risk

Using mobiles and laptops may increase the risk of dementia, a physiotherapist has warned.

Dr Solomon Abrahams, a lecturer at the Imperial College of Medicine and University College London, says everyone is guilty of the habit.

His analysis suggests that the posture people adopt while using their devices can reduce blood flow to the brain, which leads to cognitive decline.

Research has previously shown that more time spent on cognitively passive behaviours — like watching TV — leads to an increased risk of dementia, regardless of physical activity levels. However, cognitively active passive activities — like using the computer — were associated with a lower dementia risk.

Abrahams who has reviewed research on the subject says ’emerging evidence and clinical trials have indicated the potential consequences for cognitive and neurological health’.

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“The persistent pressure on the arteries by holding your head in a forward position, as many people do when looking at their phones, can lead to a chronic reduction in the diameter of those arteries, potentially reducing the amount of blood which can reach the brain.

“Any restriction in these blood vessels may cause a decrease in blood flow to the brain, resulting in various brain-related diseases.”

According to Abrahams, Alzheimer’s disease is going to become more prevalent as the population ages, but his research points to daily habits of poor posture from staring down at our phones as a potential cause of an increase in cases.”

In his advice, he said “Hold your phone somewhere where you don’t need to bend forward. Take a positive step in your spine and brain health by using your phone when you can keep your neck in its natural alignment, and when you use a laptop, adjust your working environment to support a healthy posture.”

Physiotherapist: Cellphone, laptop use can increase dementia risk

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Sickle Cell Foundation, LUTH celebrate bone marrow transplant breakthrough

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November 4, 2024

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Sickle Cell Foundation, LUTH celebrate bone marrow transplant breakthrough

The first two Sickle Cell Disease patients admitted to the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, SCFN/LUTH, Bone Marrow Transplant Centre in Lagos, have been discharged and are under observation.

The patients, one paediatric and one adult, successfully underwent the first-of-its-kind Bone Marrow Transplant, BMT,  in Nigeria and West Africa, heralding a groundbreaking achievement for Nigerian healthcare.

The feat was achieved at the state-of-the-art Centre following weeks of meticulous care and preparation, including chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and bone marrow stem cells harvested from family donors, then infused into the patients.

With this achievement, the SCFN in partnership with LUTH is the first non-profit organisation in Africa to lead a comprehensive bone marrow transplant initiative for sickle cell disorder.

The milestone marks a significant step forward in the treatment of sickle cell disease and other blood disorders and positions Nigeria as a hub in West Africa for advanced medical care particularly in hematology-oncology.

The Centre, equipped with advanced technology and staffed by highly skilled medical professionals, provides a comprehensive range of services for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants, even as no less than 127 potentially qualified patients are lined up to undergo the procedure.

The achievement is particularly significant for Nigeria, which has one of the highest burdens of SCD globally. Before the establishment of the center, Nigerian patients seeking bone marrow transplants had no option but to seek treatment abroad, often incurring significant costs and facing challenges related to access and affordability.

One of the mothers of the discharged patients said, “Our Bone Marrow Transplant experience has been remarkable, filled with hope and certainty. I felt confident in the exceptional care we received at the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria/LUTH BMT Centre. From the moment of admission to discharge, the medical staff provided round-the-clock attention,” said the mother of one of the discharged patients.

In the views of the Chairman, Board of Directors. Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, Chief Tunde Afolabi, SCFN’s journey is far from over.

“These bone marrow transplants that we have carried out, while groundbreaking, remain expensive, and SCFN aims to make them accessible to those in need. Many individuals living with SCD live below the poverty line and face significant barriers to care. This underscores the critical need for multi-sectoral collaborations and funding support to create a sustainable model for treating SCD in Nigeria.”

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To address these challenges, Afolabi said SCFN is currently developing the Access to Care Programme, a digital platform that connects sponsors with patients in need of financial support, while transparently tracking funding and treatment progress.

“With hundreds of inquiries for BMT, of which 127 patients potentially qualify for the procedure, the demand for BMT is clear. SCFN continues to seek partnerships with government bodies, private organisations, and philanthropists to expand the programme. Together, we can make this life-saving cure more accessible for all Nigerians living with sickle cell disorder.”

 The CEO/National Director of SCFN, Dr. Annette Akinsete, noted, “The SCFN/LUTH Bone Marrow Transplant Centre is the first of its kind in West-Africa, and we are proud to offer a safe, quality, and accessible cure for sickle cell disorder here in Nigeria. We have always believed that Nigerians deserve access to world-class healthcare at home, and this is now a reality.”

On his part, the Chief Medical Director, of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, said, “Partnering with SCFN on this historic project underscores our shared commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for Nigerians living with SCD. This BMT Centre is a major leap forward in offering accessible treatment for those who need it most.”

Professor of Medicine (Haematology/Oncology) & Clinical Director, Adult Stem Cell Transplant Programme at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, Nashville, USA, Prof. Kassim, said,  “We are proud to have played a part in this groundbreaking initiative with SCFN and LUTH. The success of this global collaboration represents a major step forward in ensuring that the latest medical technologies and treatments are accessible to all, regardless of location.”

Further, Kassim who was instrumental to the success of the BMT procedures, noted, “The post-transplant care has also been thorough and attentive, with regular check-ins, adjustments to medication, and detailed follow-up tests.  I truly couldn’t ask for a better experience.

“The cost of treatment abroad was simply too high. I am deeply thankful to SCFN for their dedication in making this cure possible and accessible, turning hope into a reality for us and so many others. It’s hard to put into words how grateful I feel.”

Sickle Cell Disorder remains a significant public health challenge globally, affecting nearly 100 million people and accounting for over 50 percent of deaths among those with the most severe form of the disease. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where approximately 70 percent of sickle cell births occur.

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Inadequate management has led to a high mortality rate before the age of five.

According to the SCFN, in Nigeria, 150,000 babies are born annually with SCD and over 100,000 die before their fifth birthday. In addition, an estimated 50 million people carry the sickle cell trait and are at risk of passing it on to their offspring. With the average life expectancy of individuals in Nigeria living with SCD at only 20 years, the need for an effective cure has never been more urgent.

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is currently the only established cure for the disease. For many years, this cure has been limited and unavailable in Nigeria, the sickle cell capital of the world, forcing families to seek BMT procedures abroad at exorbitant financial and socio-cultural costs. Recognising this critical gap, SCFN, embarked on a journey to establish Nigeria’s first state-of-the-art Bone Marrow Transplant Centre.

The First Effort (2009 – 2011): Thirty years ago, Professor Olu Akinyanju OON, established Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria as an entity to address all aspects of sickle cell disease – from advocacy, training, and research to prevention, treatment, care, and support. Eager to bring the cure for the disorder to Nigerians in Nigeria, the Foundation partnered with the Mediterranean Institute of Haematology (IME) in Rome. This collaboration enabled 50 Nigerian children with SCD to undergo free successful bone marrow transplants in Italy. Unfortunately, this partnership was discontinued in 2015 due to funding constraints in Rome.

A Second Chance (2016): Undeterred, SCFN remained committed to its mission to make available international-standard BMT in Nigeria. In 2016, Prof. Olu Akinyanju, and Dr. Annette Akinsete, CEO/National Director of SCFN, met with Prof. Adetola Kassim. Prof. Kassim is an internationally renowned professor of medicine, and Head, the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, USA. Together, they sought to bring the technology and expertise needed for BMT to Nigeria.

To ensure a solid foundation for the BMT Programme, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria sponsored the training of haematologists, paediatricians, radiologists and adult physicians from LUTH in various areas of BMT at the Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in 2016, 2021, and 2022. In 2023, SCFN also sponsored the training of nurses from LUTH to India, in various aspects of BMT nursing.

Acknowledging that meaningful progress can only be achieved through strong partnerships, SCFN entered into collaborations with Vanderbilt University Medical Centre for BMT Training and with LUTH for Technical expertise, laying the groundwork for building a sustainable and world-class BMT programme.

Through SCFN’s strategic fundraising efforts and with the generous support from the Chairman of SCFN Board of Directors, Chief Tunde Afolabi, MFR, NNPC/Chevron, civil works began on the designated site in LUTH – the Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Children Emergency Centre. SCFN also received significant funding and support from the Lagos State Government, private sector organisations, and several individuals.

By 2021, SCFN had reconstructed, fully furnished, and equipped the Centre, ensuring it met international standards. The state-of-the-art SCFN/LUTH BMT Centre was formally declared open in January 2022 by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

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Sickle Cell Foundation, LUTH celebrate bone marrow transplant breakthrough

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