The House of Representatives and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have lifted the ban on the sale and consumption of sachet alcoholic beverages.
The Deputy spokesperson for the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, who announced this in Abuja on Friday, said the sales will remain in effect until the economy recovers from the current downturn.
Agbese disclosed that the decision to temporarily lift the ban was reached following a meeting between the House Committee and NAFDAC officials.
“During the meeting, we all agreed that, at a certain point in history, it is essential to advance alongside our global counterparts. However, we also concurred with NAFDAC that there would be a temporary lifting of the ban until the economy recovers its strength.”
“I find it hypocritical to suggest that consuming the same content from sachet drinks versus bottles has vastly different health implications when in reality, the differences appear to be very mild,” he said.
He further stressed that the opposition to the ban was fueled in part by low-income earners who felt that NAFDAC had violated their fundamental human rights.
“In the presentations we received during the briefing, individuals earning lower incomes highlighted fundamental human rights issues, including discrimination, harassment, and victimization. If everyone has the right to choose and purchase gourmet bread with butter at supermarkets, we should similarly ensure that everyone can afford their basic necessities, like Agege bread.”
“We are aligned with NAFDAC now. The health concerns weren’t why the ban was imposed. Regarding children drinking sachet drinks, what about codeine and other cough syrups consumed by wealthy children? They’re still available in pharmacies without bans. This policy seems unfairly aimed at the poor,” Agbese expressed concern.”
It could be recalled that the House of Representatives, on February 7, 2024, directed its committee on NAFDAC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the agency’s ban on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles in Nigeria.
