House of Reps Halts NAFDAC Ban on Production of Sachets Alcohol
House of Representatives has ordered the National Agency on Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to suspended the ban on production of alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles.
The House Committee on National Agency on Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) headed by Regina Akume gave the directive on Thursday after a public hearing on the situation.
House Commitee members, Chairperson, Regina Akume; Deputy Chairman, Idu Obiajulu; Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa; NAFDAC DG, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye; DG of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, representatives of the Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers and Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria; representatives of the spirits and alcoholic drinks producers; officials of the Nigerian Police Force; Customs and Excise; Federal Road Safety Corps; organised labour and the civil society were present at the public hearing.
After hearing the NAFDAC DG who claimed that the ban was imposed to protect the health and welfare of children, youths and other vulnerable groups, the House Commitee aligned itself with the views of the producers, civil society and organised labour that the unemployment and hardship being occasioned by the closure of factories as a result of the ban far outweighed the health concerns of NAFDAC.
The House members also observed that the proper step is to put access control procedures in place to prevent children and youths from consuming the alcoholic contents of the sachet and pet bottles.
On February 1, 2024, the agency commenced the implementation of the ban by shutting some factories where these sachet drinks were manufactured.
The move follows the expiration of five-year ultimatum issued by NAFDAC for the sachets and small-volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml to phase out of circulation.
