BREAKING: FG Bans Production, Consumption of Sachets Alcoholic Drinks, Gives Reason

• President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has announced an indefinite suspension of the manufacturing of alcoholic drinks in sachets
• The development was announced through the federal government’s regulating agency, NAFDAC, adding that the five-year window given to the manufacturers has elapsed
• According to NAFDAC, the size and affordability of the drinks make them accessible to children and make them vulnerable

FCT, Abuja – President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has announced the ban on alcoholic beverages produced in sachets and pet bottles less than 200ml.

The ban was announced through the federal government regulating agency, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), adding that the period given to the manufacturers to stop producing the sachet and pet bottle drinks has elapsed.

NAFDAC explains how sachet alcoholic drinks were banned

NAFDAC disclosed that the five-year window given to the manufacturers started in 2019 and ended on January 1, 2024, The Nation reported.

The director-general of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, added that the agency had commenced the enforcement of the ban on February 1, 2024.

Speaking on the development in Abuja on Monday, February 5, Adeyeye noted that the ban was not a sudden development but a result of a multilateral Committee that agreed that the ban would be in phases whereby production would be reduced by 50 per cent by 2020 while outright ban would be on January 31, 2024.

Why NAFDAC bans sachet alcoholic drinks

The NAFDAC DG noted that the agency did not issue a renewal licence beyond January 2024 to any company producing the drinks in sachets.

According to her, the agency took the route of wiping out the drinks in such sachets because of the adverse effects on underage children.

She said because the drinks come in pocket-friendly sizes, accessible and affordable, children quickly fell for the packages only to face the consequences in the future.

Tinubu calls Super Eagles ahead of Angola showdown

Legit.ng earlier reported that President Tinubu engaged the Super Eagles players a few hours before their match against the Palancas Negras of Angola.

Addressing the players ahead of the match, President Tinubu gave them his words of encouragement.

The president’s engagement with the Super Eagles players came hours after they were tipped by the team’s former manager, Gernot Rohr, to defeat Angola.

Source: Legit.ng