Soft drink 7UP continues to be sold in the market despite a lawsuit alleging violations of prescribed quality standards following laboratory tests. The case has raised questions about product quality control and market surveillance, while concerns have emerged over potential risks to consumer health.

According to information cited in the report, samples of 7UP allegedly contained aspartame and acesulfame potassium at levels exceeding the prescribed limits. The laboratory findings and relevant Bangladesh Standards (BDS) documentation require verification.

In 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the World Health Organization (WHO), classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” under Group 2B. However, this classification does not mean that consuming a beverage containing aspartame necessarily causes cancer. The permitted levels in food and a person’s overall intake are important considerations.

The report states that laboratory tests detected 450 milligrams of acesulfame potassium and 1,000 milligrams of aspartame in the 7UP sample. The alleged maximum limits under the relevant standards are 300 milligrams and 700 milligrams, respectively. However, the units of measurement, sample details, laboratory report and applicable standards have not been independently verified.

A case has reportedly been filed against Transcom Beverages Limited, the Bangladeshi marketer of 7UP, over alleged deviations from prescribed quality standards. The company’s Managing Director, Simeen Rahman, has been named as the sole accused, and the court has reportedly issued a summons against her. The next hearing date is stated to be November 16.

Shafiquzzaman, president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said products should be ordered off the market as soon as they are found to be substandard. He said the relevant authorities should explain why such action had not been taken in this case. He also stressed that public health risks must be treated seriously.

Mahbub Kabir Milan, who has worked on consumer rights protection and food safety, said failure to comply with Bangladesh Standards constitutes a punishable offence. He added that legal action could also be taken if a product meets the required standards but fails to disclose mandatory information on its label.

According to the complaint, the case was filed by Mohang Kamrul Hasan, a safe food inspector of Dhaka South City Corporation. The complaint states that Ilias Zahedi, a food analyst at the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, issued a certificate declaring the 7UP sample non-compliant with quality standards and unsafe.

Repeated attempts were reportedly made to contact Sharifuddin Shyamal, head of brand at Transcom Beverages Limited, for comment, but he did not respond to the calls. Questions were also sent via WhatsApp. Emails seeking comments were subsequently sent to Transcom Beverages and PepsiCo, the parent company of 7UP. According to the report, neither company had responded after nine days.