On Monday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced that it has banned the registration of alcoholic drinks in sachets, small volumes and glass bottles below 200 millimetres.
This announcement was made by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye in a statement.
According to her, the move followed the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in December 2018.
Prof. Mojisola noted that NAFDAC will ensure that the validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category does not exceed the year 2024.
She also revealed that the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) are also members of the committee.
Going further, the NAFDAC DG revealed that producers of low volume alcoholic beverages (200ml), with satisfactory laboratory, reports had already been submitted to NAFDAC for registration before the decision.
According to her, they have been directed to reformulate their products to stipulated standards free of charge.
The statement said the agency is is focused on the severe implementation of the guidelines and administrative measures towards shielding the health of Nigerians, especially the vulnerable young people, against the risks of careless consumption of alcohol.
She uncovered that Distillers and Blenders were likewise provided matching orders to embark on intensive nationwide sensitization campaigns against underage utilization of liquor by youths underneath the age of 18 years in a bid to stem the tide of alcohol abuse in the country.
She added that the makers of alcohol in sachets and little volumes consented to lessen creation by 50% with impact from January 31st, 2022 while guaranteeing the items are totally gotten rid of in the country by 31st January 2024.
Credit; Daily Post
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