House Committee Orders Suspension of NAFDAC Ban on Alcohol Sachets, Bottles

Thedailycourierng

Suspension of NAFDAC Ban

make money with storipod as a content creator

The House of Representatives Committee on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has directed the suspension of NAFDAC’s recently imposed ban on the sale of spirits and alcoholic drinks in sachets and small bottles.

The Committee, chaired by Hon. Regina Akume, issued the suspension order pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation after a public hearing on February 22nd, 2024 at the National Assembly Complex. Those in attendance included Committee members, the Minister of State for Health Hon Tunji Alausa, NAFDAC Director General Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, industry stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, labour groups and civil society.

NAFDAC had banned the popular low-cost liquor packaging citing protection of public health and vulnerable groups like youth and children. However, producers and civic representatives argued the economic hardship from potential factory closures and job losses outweighed health considerations.

Echoing these concerns after testimony, Committee members concurred that appropriate access control measures would sufficiently guard against underage drinking without need for a blanket ban.

In a crucial ruling, the House panel officially moved to suspend enforcement of NAFDAC’s prohibition on spirits and alcohol sachets and bottles until the Committee completes its probe on the matter. They adjourned with the ban halted for now.

Committee chair Hon. Akume said though NAFDAC may have acted in good faith, the Committee believes curbing youth access rather than banning affordable options for adult consumers is prudent under current widespread economic duress. She reiterated the House does not take this investigation lightly and will expedite its review to provide guidance.

In the interim, the Committee’s directive offers reprieve to the numerous spirit manufacturers and secondary businesses affected by an outright ban on their mainstay product lines. Workers and unions who feared job losses will also breathe easier as factories churning out the banned liquor packaging format can resume operations for the duration of the Committee’s investigation.

With its oversight authority, the House Committee on NAFDAC has provisionally averted prohibition of a small but mighty corner of the economy. However, regulators and businesses still face uncertainty until the Committee concludes whether societal protections merit a permanent end to liquor sachets and bottles or more tailored age checks would suffice.

Source House orders NAFDAC to suspend action on ban of drinks in sachets, pet bottles. Published in Vanguard.

thedailycourierng news

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *