By Paul Adunwoke and Francess
Adewale-Iziogba
16 September 2018 | 4:30 am
• Shun
Nutritionist at Lagos University
Teaching Hospital ( LUTH ) said
chemical preservatives and
sweeteners contained in most
children fruit juices tend to
increase the level of body acidity,
thereby making them more
susceptible to different diseases
after constant consumption .
She said : “ The processed
commercial fruit juice is not as
beneficial as fresh raw fruit or
fruit juice . As most of them are
made from concentrates , the fruit
juice is obtained from fruits and
then filtered through a processor
that extracts water . This way, the
juice takes up less space when
transported. Before being packaged
and sold , water is added back into
the concentrated juice and it is
pasteurised. Usually , chemical
preservatives and sweeteners, such
as high fructose corn syrup are
added to the juice to make it safe
and sweet ; but they render it less
healthy to the consumers .
“Many people give fruit juices to
their children daily , just because it
has become a widely acceptable
practice, and not because of
nutritional value offered . Fruit
juices may supply some vitamins
and minerals , but it is better to
obtain such nutrients from fresh
fruits or homemade fruit juice and
avoid the side effects of chemical
preservatives and sweeteners.
“Sometimes , manufacturing and
expiry dates are tampered with ,
especially if they are from fake
companies. People should reduce
consumption of packaged fruit
juices, especially the ones from
non -reputable companies. If at all
fruit juice must be consumed , then
reputable companies should be
patronised and the manufacturing
and expiry date should be checked
before buying them.
“If strange substances are found in
packaged juices being sold to the
public, the manufacturers should
be reported to the National Agency
for Food and Drug Administration
and Control ( NAFDAC ) and have
such products withdrawn from the
public. By and large, parents
should be careful what their
children consume generally. Taking
other drinks aside water is not
mandatory. It is safer for children
to get used to drinking plain
potable water . If a drink is desired ,
then homemade fruit juice is best .”
The Director for Special Duties ,
National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control
( NAFDAC ) Dr . Abubakar Jimoh ,
said parents should moderate
children ’ s consumption of sweet
drinks , as they are injurious to
health , when taken in excess .
He explained that before NAFDAC
approves any product , such must
have gone through regulatory
analysis with due diligence .
He said : “ NAFDAC looks at the
factory ’ s location , contents and
raw materials . Experts and
directors from different
departments would come together
to examine the quality standard .
After this , the product would go for
laboratory analysis to maintain the
quality standard .
“Some of the sweet drinks contain
excess sugar, which is not good for
children ’ s health , as they might
lead to diabetes , if not properly
controlled .
“There are always side effects ,
especially in food products, when
used excessively, whether in
children or adults . Therefore ,
lifestyle moderation is the best .
“Over the years , NAFDAC has been
campaigning for lifestyle
moderation . When it comes to fast
foods and juice drinks , among
others , people should go for those
with NAFDAC registration number .
“In 1993 , when NAFDAC just
started work , the first battle was
with bottling companies, because
they started promotions ,
advertising that there were prizes
to be won , including cars and
others , when you consumed their
bottled drinks . This lured people
into consuming more of the soft
drinks , because they wanted the
covers of the drinks to win prizes .
“We clamped down on the adverts
because people were taking more
and coming down with diabetes .
We said the adverts should stop ,
because there is poverty in the land
and people wanted to win cars and
other prizes to increase their
economic fortunes.
“Consumers need to be protected ,
and NAFDAC registration number
should not be taken for a joke . We
have been on public
enlightenments for a very long
period, telling people to take their
destiny into their hands . So, when
you see unregistered products,
avoid them. By the time the public
begins to avoid unregistered
products, the manufacturers would
close down , because nobody
patronises them.
Adewale-Iziogba
16 September 2018 | 4:30 am
• Shun
Products Without NAFDAC Number — Agency. As more fruit juices for children are making their way into the market , kids to take them as snacks or supplement during meals. Some parents consider such juices as pacifiers and freebies during birthday parties, ignoring the health implications that might beassociated with such .
Nutritionist at Lagos University
Teaching Hospital ( LUTH ) said
chemical preservatives and
sweeteners contained in most
children fruit juices tend to
increase the level of body acidity,
thereby making them more
susceptible to different diseases
after constant consumption .
She said : “ The processed
commercial fruit juice is not as
beneficial as fresh raw fruit or
fruit juice . As most of them are
made from concentrates , the fruit
juice is obtained from fruits and
then filtered through a processor
that extracts water . This way, the
juice takes up less space when
transported. Before being packaged
and sold , water is added back into
the concentrated juice and it is
pasteurised. Usually , chemical
preservatives and sweeteners, such
as high fructose corn syrup are
added to the juice to make it safe
and sweet ; but they render it less
healthy to the consumers .
“Many people give fruit juices to
their children daily , just because it
has become a widely acceptable
practice, and not because of
nutritional value offered . Fruit
juices may supply some vitamins
and minerals , but it is better to
obtain such nutrients from fresh
fruits or homemade fruit juice and
avoid the side effects of chemical
preservatives and sweeteners.
“Sometimes , manufacturing and
expiry dates are tampered with ,
especially if they are from fake
companies. People should reduce
consumption of packaged fruit
juices, especially the ones from
non -reputable companies. If at all
fruit juice must be consumed , then
reputable companies should be
patronised and the manufacturing
and expiry date should be checked
before buying them.
“If strange substances are found in
packaged juices being sold to the
public, the manufacturers should
be reported to the National Agency
for Food and Drug Administration
and Control ( NAFDAC ) and have
such products withdrawn from the
public. By and large, parents
should be careful what their
children consume generally. Taking
other drinks aside water is not
mandatory. It is safer for children
to get used to drinking plain
potable water . If a drink is desired ,
then homemade fruit juice is best .”
The Director for Special Duties ,
National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control
( NAFDAC ) Dr . Abubakar Jimoh ,
said parents should moderate
children ’ s consumption of sweet
drinks , as they are injurious to
health , when taken in excess .
He explained that before NAFDAC
approves any product , such must
have gone through regulatory
analysis with due diligence .
He said : “ NAFDAC looks at the
factory ’ s location , contents and
raw materials . Experts and
directors from different
departments would come together
to examine the quality standard .
After this , the product would go for
laboratory analysis to maintain the
quality standard .
“Some of the sweet drinks contain
excess sugar, which is not good for
children ’ s health , as they might
lead to diabetes , if not properly
controlled .
“There are always side effects ,
especially in food products, when
used excessively, whether in
children or adults . Therefore ,
lifestyle moderation is the best .
“Over the years , NAFDAC has been
campaigning for lifestyle
moderation . When it comes to fast
foods and juice drinks , among
others , people should go for those
with NAFDAC registration number .
“In 1993 , when NAFDAC just
started work , the first battle was
with bottling companies, because
they started promotions ,
advertising that there were prizes
to be won , including cars and
others , when you consumed their
bottled drinks . This lured people
into consuming more of the soft
drinks , because they wanted the
covers of the drinks to win prizes .
“We clamped down on the adverts
because people were taking more
and coming down with diabetes .
We said the adverts should stop ,
because there is poverty in the land
and people wanted to win cars and
other prizes to increase their
economic fortunes.
“Consumers need to be protected ,
and NAFDAC registration number
should not be taken for a joke . We
have been on public
enlightenments for a very long
period, telling people to take their
destiny into their hands . So, when
you see unregistered products,
avoid them. By the time the public
begins to avoid unregistered
products, the manufacturers would
close down , because nobody
patronises them.
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