NAFDAC BANS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN PET BOTTLES AND SACHETS BELOW 200ML…TUC PROTESTS
Following the call to stop the production of alcohol in sachets and pet bottles of less than 200ml by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to the distillers, in line with the tripartite committee set up in 2018, the agency has confiscated about N90 million worth of the alcoholic products in Lagos state.
NAFDAC’s investigation and enforcement team, during a three-day exercise enforcement exercise which ended on 3rd of February 2024, visited about 10 companies, and seized over 16,127 cartons of the products.
Recall that an agreement was reached at the 2018 meeting with the distillers, under the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), to stop the production of the category of alcoholic beverages with effect from January 31st, 2024. This was however flouted as the companies were still producing those alcohols below 200ml as at the time the enforcement was carried out, hence the enforcement exercise.
The Assistant Chief Regulator Officer, Investigation and Enforcement Department, NAFDAC, Lagos. Mr. Kazeem Adeniran, in his statement mentioned that all the products placed on hold in each of the companies visited would be evacuated and destroyed. He then further reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety of food available to Nigerians.
However, the Trade Union Council (TUC), together with the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association and the National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) has condemned he actions of NAFDAC via a protest on Tuesday, 6th February 2024.
The protest was led by the Vice Chairman of TUC, Lagos chapter, Mr. Idogen Emmanuel, at the NAFDAC Lagos office, against the ban on manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets.
He said that the action was a blow to the already struggling families, as it has resulted into over 500,000 members of the council out of job and into the labour market.
He noted that the labour market was already over saturated especially with the exit of many companies from Nigeria due to the difficult business terrain in the country. “This we know does not represent the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope for Nigeria”, he said.
Leave a Reply