Lagos, FrieslandCampina begin investigation on ‘contaminated milk’ in circulation
By Fredrick Wright
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) and FrieslandCampina WAMCO have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged circulation of hazardous and contaminated milk products that surfaced online recently.
LASCOPA has met with stakeholders over the reported sale of the contaminated peak milk and the subsequent closure of a warehouse in the Isheri area of the state.
Speaking at the meeting held at the head office of LASCOPA in Ikeja, the General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, said the forum was organised as part of efforts to further investigate and unravel the source of the contaminated milk product, ensure that the product batch is subjected to more tests and possibly recall the contaminated milk from markets and distributors.
His words: “As a responsive and responsible government, the safety and wellbeing of our people are paramount and must not be compromised for any reason. It is LASCOPA’s duty to protect our people and shield them from any form of hazardous products that may likely have a negative health impact, regardless of whose ox is gored; this is our mandate and we would carry it out to the letter.
“As a state with myriad business opportunities, we encourage entrepreneurship development and promote business activities but not at the detriment of unsuspecting consumers and Lagosians in general.”
The general manager advised the representatives of Friesland Campina Nigeria Plc the makers of peak milk, three crown milk and many others embarked on an independent forensic investigation of the product to ascertain whether the batch number of the said milk originated from them or emanated from another source.
While noting that the agency awaits the result of the laboratory test and investigations of Friesland Campina Plc, he averred that LASCOPA, on its part, will also carry out a forensic test on the products in a reputable and accredited laboratory in Lagos.
Meanwhile, Quality Assurance Representative of Friesland Campina Nigeria Plc, Yomi Eleyoro, expressed the readiness of his organization to support the move initiated by LASCOPA to get the milk product batch number in order to carry out a laboratory test.
FrieslandCampina WAMCO, in a separate statement said “so far, internal and external investigations have shown that the integrity of our manufacturing, batching, warehousing and distribution of our products has remained intact.
The company has called on consumers to always use its expanded toll free number and email on the pack of all its products to liaise with dedicated professionals on any inquiry, as this platform caters for consumers across Nigeria.
