Members of the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) staged protests in Lagos against the recent ban imposed by the National Agency for Food, Drug and Control (NAFDAC) on cheap alcoholic beverages in sachets.
According to the union, the ban, effective since February 1, 2024, has led to the closure of production lines and raised concerns about potential job losses in the industry.
The ban, announced after a five-year phase-out notice issued in 2019, followed a multi-agency agreement in 2018.
NAFDAC asserted that it adhered to the timeline and did not renew licenses for the banned products after January 2024.
NUFBTE, representing workers in the food and beverage sector, expressed fears that the ban could result in thousands of job losses.
Olamide Somefun, vice chairman of the union’s Ota branch, emphasized the potential impact on employment within the industry, predicting that many local industries serving as raw material suppliers might fold up.
While acknowledging public health concerns, the union urged NAFDAC to consider the economic impact and proposed postponing the ban until economic conditions improve.
Idogen Emmanuel, the union’s Lagos deputy chairman, emphasized the importance of responsible consumption and age restrictions.
In response, Amuda Kayode, NAFDAC director of drug evaluation and research, assured the union that the agency encourages businesses and does not aim to shut them down.
He reiterated the focus on public health, especially among young people, clarifying that the ban only applies to alcoholic beverages in sachets.
The union pledged to raise awareness through media channels and encourage members to follow existing regulations while expressing concerns about potential job losses and urging a reconsideration of the ban’s timing in light of economic challenges.
