National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has banned registration of new alcoholic drinks in Sachet, Small volume PET and Glass bottles above 30% ABV (alcohol by volume).
In a statement in Abuja, Monday, the Director General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, disclosed that the ban followed 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.
“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 the Director General, NAFDAC will ensure that validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category will not exceed 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, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria was also given a matching order to embark on intensive nation-wide 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% 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 Director, Prof. Adeyeye noted.
