The Edo State government on Tuesday began enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol across Benin metropolis with inspection of shops and seizure of the prohibited products.
The enforcement was carried out by officials of Edo Consumer Protection Committee.
The enforcement team, led by its Chairman, Mr Osaro Iyamu, visited Mission Road, Ekiosa and St. Saviour areas during the exercise.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had in January announced a nationwide ban of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and pet bottles below 200ml.
Speaking during the exercise in Benin on Tuesday, Iyamu said the enforcement was part of the state governmentโs efforts to protect consumers, particularly children who could easily access alcohol.
โIt is also to keep fake, adulterated and potentially harmful products out of circulation,โ he said.
He urged traders to comply with the ban and avoid actions that could attract sanctions.
Some traders at St. Saviour Market, however, resisted the seizure of the products, lamenting the losses the enforcement could cause their businesses.
During the operation, the committee also arrested a wholesale beans trader allegedly found mixing Sniper insecticide with beans to control pests.
The committee described the practice as dangerous, warning that the state government would not tolerate the use of insecticides on food meant for human consumption.
It said such practices posed serious risks to consumers and urged residents to report activities capable of endangering public health.
The committee assured residents that enforcement of the ban and other consumer protection measures would continue across the state.
NAFDAC had also recently ordered manufacturers of alcoholic beverages below 200ml to commence nationwide recall and stop further production of the products.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye gave the order at a news conference held in Lagos to brief the media on its ongoing banned enforcement on the production and sale of sachets alcoholic and pet bottles below 200ml.
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