The House of Representatives Committee on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has told the agency to suspend its ban on the sale of spirits and alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles.
The suspension, however, is pending the outcome of their investigation into the matter.
Rep Regina Akume, the Chairperson of the House Committee on NAFDAC, made the announcement in Abuja following a public hearing on the ban.
Akume stated that there are proper steps to be taken before implementing a ban, and it is essential to establish access control procedures.
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According to her, the primary motivation behind these precautions is to prevent children and youths from consuming alcoholic contents from sachets and pet bottles.
She pointed out the committee’s responsibility in ensuring NAFDAC’s effectiveness while also promoting employment and economic growth.
During the same event, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, clarified that the ban was ministerially directed and not a unilateral decision by NAFDAC.
The five-year period for the ban has now expired. Despite the agreement on banning alcohol in sachets and pet bottles, NAFDAC said, it was surprised at the manufacturers’ ongoing campaign.
Adeyeye clarified that NAFDAC is not against alcohol production but specifically targets alcohol packaged in sachets and pet bottles to protect the health and welfare of children, youths, and other vulnerable groups.
Adeyeye said:
“We tried to protect the market, and that was why we agreed to a five-year moratorium for the manufacturers to phase out alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles in December 2018.”
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