In a recent development, the House of Representatives has directed the National Agency on Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to suspend its ban on spirits and alcoholic drinks in sachets and PET bottles. This decision comes after a thorough public hearing led by the House Committee on NAFDAC, chaired by Regina Akume.
During the public hearing, key stakeholders, including NAFDAC’s Director-General Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, presented their perspectives. While NAFDAC emphasized health concerns for children and vulnerable groups, the House Committee aligned with producers, civil society, and organized labor, highlighting the adverse economic impact and job losses resulting from factory closures.
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The House Committee proposed an alternative approach, emphasizing the implementation of access control procedures to prevent underage individuals from consuming alcoholic contents in sachets and PET bottles. As a result, the suspension of NAFDAC’s ban is pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation.
In the past two weeks, stakeholders, including employees from affected industries, have staged protests in various cities, expressing concerns over the ban’s economic repercussions and massive job losses. Placards with messages such as ‘Let poor Nigerians breathe’ and ‘Save our jobs’ underscore the sentiment that the ban’s negative effects outweigh its intended health benefits.
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NAFDAC initially implemented the ban on February 1, 2024, following the expiration of a five-year ultimatum for the phase-out of sachets and small-volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml. Professor Mojisola Adeyeye reiterated that the ban aimed to curb underage access to alcohol, emphasizing the associated health risks.
The House Committee’s decision to suspend the ban reflects a balancing act between health concerns and economic considerations. The committee has adjourned its proceedings sine die, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced approach to address both health and economic aspects of the issue.
Source: IntelRegion
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