By Favour Nnabugwu

Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has commenced investigations into claims by Nigerian Breweries Plc on nutritional, health and therapeutic benefits of beer consumption.

Consequently, the CPC has issued the company a 14-day ultimatum to substantiate its claims which the agency said were capable of luring unsuspecting consumers into unwholesome consumption of the product.

The consumer agency had however notified Nigerian Breweries of the commencement of its investigations in line with relevant sections of its enabling   law mandating it to protect consumers from misleading advertisements or information on any consumer items, among others.

Other claims by the company also include the fact that beer consumption had 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 CPC expressed reservations that the claims in effect, suggested that beer was a health drink and had the potential to lure unsuspecting consumers into unwholesome consumption of the product.

It, therefore, gave Nigerian Breweries Plc 14 days to respond to the notice with proof of certification of its claims and registration with relevant agencies.