Alleged Grand Malt impurity: LASCOPA commences investigation

LAGOS State Government, through the State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA, has commenced an independent investigative exercise to the allegations making the rounds, regarding some impurity found in the Grand Malt drink, one of the products of  International Brewery Ltd.

The allegation was raised by an Abuja-based consumer of the brand.

Speaking during a visit to the Company’s plant, in Shagamu, Ogun State, the General Manager of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), Mrs. Kemi Olugbode said, although the incident occurred in Abuja, based on the video that went viral, recently, but the proactive visit to the company had become imperative,  given the fact that the largest consumers of  the product in contention, are in Lagos.

According to the Agency’s boss, who led the Management Team to the Company, the exercise was to demonstrate the state government’s concern about the welfare of its citizenry, pointing out that the Consumer’s Protection law of the State which centres on quality, quantity, purity of products, price and avoidance of unfair practices by manufacturers will be interpreted to the letter on behalf of consumers.

Speaking further, Mrs. Olugbode said that government will not relent in its efforts at getting to the root of the matter, pointing out that the company’s close – circuited, automated and non-human involvement process of operation notwithstanding.

She, however, added that the investigation, which is still ongoing, is part of the agency’s statutory roles at  safeguarding the interest of consumers.

In his remarks, the Agency’s Director of Scientific Investigation, Research and Development, Mr. Deji Badejo implored the company to take a closer look at the use of plastic in the packaging of products, as the object found in the malt drink by the consumer could have been prevented in the face of meaningful safety measures.

Responding, the Plant Manager of the Company at the Gateway end, Mr. Tony Agar commented on the series of laboratory tests carried out on the sample within and outside the country to ascertain the particular object in the drink and the possible cause, revealing that production of the said Malt drink had  been stopped since the incident, pending the outcome of the investigation.

He, however, commended the Lagos State Government for its foresight activities and the enormous priority placed not only on the interest of consumers in the State but also, protection of their rights, adding that the company, which is the second-largest plant in Africa will cooperate with the State Government in its desire to investigate the incident.