NAFDAC Moves To Cut Sachet, Small Bottle Alcohol Production

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has raised concerns over the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets, small volume glass and Poly-Ethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles.

This was contained in a statement signed by the director-general of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, and made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja.

The statement said the concerns relate to negative effects of irresponsible alcohol consumption on public health and on the safety and security of the public.

“Alcohol being a toxic and psychoactive substance with dependence producing properties. Uncontrolled access and availability of high concentration alcohol in sachet and small volume PET or glass bottles has been put forward as a factor contributing to substance and alcohol abuse in Nigeria with its negative impact on the society.

ALSO READ: Chloroquine Is Potent Against Coronavirus In Early Stage– NAFDAC DG

“NAFDAC with full support of the Federal Ministry of Health has continued to exercise its regulatory responsibilities by ensuring that all alcoholic beverages and other regulated products approved by the agency meet set standards of quality, safety and wholesomeness,” it stated.

It informed that several interventions jointly agreed upon by major stakeholders are being undertaken and as a first step, no new products in sachet and small volume PET or glass bottles above 30 per cent ABV will be registered by NAFDAC.

“To reduce availability and curb abuse, effective January 31, 2020, producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume PET and glass bottles were to reduce production by 50 per cent of capacity prior to January 2020.

“The overall goal is a complete phase out of high concentration alcohol in sachet and small PET and glass bottles in line with the agreed roadmap or earlier.

“NAFDAC is in the process of monitoring and enforcing all agreements jointly reached between the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, alcohol producers and other stakeholders,” it added.

(LEADERSHIP)