Reps order suspension of ban on sachet alcoholic, pet bottles

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives Committee on National Agency on Food, Drugs Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) has ordered the suspension of the ban on sale of spirits and alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles.
The suspension is pending the outcome of its investigation into the matter.
Rep. Regina Akume, Chairman, House Committee on NAFDAC said this in Abuja after a public hearing on the ban of the product on Friday.
She said there were proper steps to take before the ban, adding that there was a need to put access control procedures in place.
This, she said, was to prevent children and youths from consuming the alcoholic contents of the sachet and pet bottles.
She said the committee was entrusted with the essential responsibility and effectiveness of NAFDAC for the creation of employment and enhancing economic growth.
She promised to reach a level playing field between NAFDAC and manufacturers that would not be detrimental to children or public safety.
Speaking earlier, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, NAFDAC, said the ban was imposed to protect the health and welfare of children, youths, and other vulnerable groups.
“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.
According to her, it is a ministerial directive and not unilaterally made by NAFDAC, and the expiration of that five-year period has come.
Adeyeye said that, in spite of the agreement on the ban on alcohol in sachets and pet bottles, it was shocking to NAFDAC that the campaign from manufacturers was mounting.
She said that a lot of issues could have been solved before now, adding that the agency was not against the production of alcohol drinks but alcohol in sachets and pet bottles, to wade off children from unnecessary access.