NAFDAC To Review Regulation On Alcoholic Beverages Next Year

Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has disclosed that from next year herbal muffins with alcoholic above 30 percent will be banned.
Speaking at anan event in Abuja, Prof. Adeyeye said registration of new alcoholic drinks in sachets, small volume pet and glass bottles above 30 per cent ABV (Alcohol By Volume) had been banned by the agency.
She said the move followed the recommendation of a high-powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC in December 2018.
Other parties involved were the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC would ensure that renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category would not exceed 2024, stressing that the measure would help to curb abuse of alcohol in the country.
She explained that manufacturers of low-volume alcohol beverages (200ml) with satisfactory laboratory reports, which were already submitted to NAFDAC for registration before the decision, had been directed to reformulate their products to stipulated standards free of charge.
According to her, DIBAN was also given a marching order to embark on intensive nationwide campaigns against underage consumption of alcohol to stem the tide of alcohol abuse.
The NAFDAC boss said producers of alcohol in sachets and small volumes agreed to reduce production by 50 per cent with effect from January 31, 2020, while ensuring the products were completely phased out by January 31, 2024.
Adeyeye said, “Even as we grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, NAFDAC is committed to strict implementation of regulatory measures to safeguard the health of Nigerians, especially vulnerable youths, against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol.”