By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has stopped the registration of new alcoholic drinks in sachet, small volume PET and glass bottles above 30 per cent ABV (alcohol by volume).
This information was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye.
She disclosed that the ban followed the recommendation of a high powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and the agency.
The NAFDAC chief added that this also followed other recommendations from Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in December 2018.
“In a decisive move to reduce availability and curb abuse of alcohol in the country, NAFDAC has stopped the registration of alcohol in sachet and small volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml amidst other stringent regulatory measures,” the statement reiterated.
According to her, NAFDAC will ensure that the validity of the renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category will not exceed the year 2024.
She 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.
According to her, the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria was also given a matching order to embark on intensive nationwide sensitization campaigns against underage consumption of alcohol by adolescents below the age of 18 years in the bid to stem the tide of alcohol abuse in the country.
She explained that the producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume agreed to reduce production by 50 per cent with effect from January 31, 2020, while ensuring 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,” the NAFDAC DG noted.
Aduragbemi Omiyale