In a bid to reduce availability and curb abuse of alcohol in the country, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it has stopped the registration of alcohol in Sachet and small volume and glass bottles below 200 milliliters amidst other stringent regulatory measures.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye who stated this in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, added that the registration of new alcoholic drinks in sachet and small volume and glass bottles above 30 per cent alcohol by volume has also been banned by agency following the recommendation of a high powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC on one hand, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in December, 2018.
Adeyeye, however said the agency would ensure that validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category will not exceed year 2024.
The DG explained that manufacturers of low volume alcohol beverages (200ml) with satisfactory laboratory reports, which were already submitted to NAFDAC for registration before the decision was taken, have been directed to reformulate their products to stipulated standards free of charge.
According to her, DIBAN was also given a matching order to embark on intensive nation-wide sensitisation against underage consumption of alcohol by adolescents below the age of 18 years. This was to stem the tide of alcohol abuse in the country.
She explained that the producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume had agreed to reduce production by 50 per cent, 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, ” Adeyeye said.
