By Esther Adesulu
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken actions to put a halt to the registration of sachet alcohol, mini bottles below 200ml in the midst of other rigorous regulatory measures.
This came as the agency confirmed the validity of its dedication to the implementation of strict regulations against alcohol abuse nationwide.
In a statement on Monday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that the development was part of the agency’s strategy to reduce availability and restrict alcohol abuse in the country.
Adeyeye insisted that the registration of new alcoholic drinks in sachet and small volume PET and glass bottles above 30 percent ABV (alcohol by volume) has been banned, following the recommendation of a high powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC on one hand, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC) and Industry represented by Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in December, 2018.
He also mentioned that the agency will make sure that validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category will not exceed year 2024.
“The Director-General explained that manufacturers of low volume alcohol beverages (200ml) with satisfactory laboratory reports, which were already submitted to NAFDAC for registration before this decision, have been directed to reformulate their products to stipulated standards free of charge,” the statement said.
She said DIBAN was also given a marching order to begin an intensive nation-wise sensitization campaigns against alcohol consumption by underage adolescents below the age of 18 years in the bid to reduce abuse of alcohol in the country.
She explained that the producers of alcohol in sachets and small volumes agreed to reduce production by 50 percent with effect from January 31, 2020, while ensuring that the products are completely phased out in the country by January 31, 2024.
“Even as we grapple with the containment of COVID-19 pandemic, NAFDAC is resolutely committed to the strict implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the Health of Nigerians particularly the vulnerable youths against the dangers of reckless consumption of Alcohol, Prof. Adeyeye reiterated,” the statement added.
