The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the consumption, sale and distribution of banned alcoholic energy drinks following the seizure of the products by regulatory authorities in Ghana.
Key Highlight:
- The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the consumption, sale and distribution of banned alcoholic energy drinks.
- The warning followed the seizure of about 140 cartons of the products by Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority during an enforcement operation.
- The affected products are Bel Ice Vodka Energy Drink and Cody’s Vody Energy Mix.
- NAFDAC said the drinks pose significant health risks because stimulant ingredients can mask alcohol intoxication, potentially leading to excessive consumption, impaired judgment and risky behaviour.
- The agency has intensified post-market surveillance and warned that importers, distributors and retailers dealing in the banned products will face regulatory sanctions.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency disclosed that Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority confiscated about 140 cartons of the products during an enforcement operation in the Upper East Region of the country.
NAFDAC said the affected beverages had previously been prohibited due to health concerns associated with combining alcohol and stimulant ingredients commonly found in energy drinks.
The products identified in the alert are Bel Ice Vodka Energy Drink, manufactured by Bel Beverages in Ghana, and Cody’s Vody Energy Mix, produced by Jens Warneke Export GmbH in Bremen, Germany.
According to the agency, alcoholic energy drinks can pose significant health risks because stimulant ingredients may mask the effects of alcohol, causing consumers to underestimate their level of intoxication.
NAFDAC noted that such effects could lead to excessive alcohol consumption, impaired judgment and increased engagement in risky behaviour, particularly among young people.
The agency further warned that regular consumption may contribute to health complications, including elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, dehydration, sleep disturbances and a greater risk of alcohol-related injuries and accidents.
“Alcoholic energy drinks may pose significant health risks because the stimulant ingredients can mask the effects of alcohol intoxication, potentially leading consumers to underestimate their level of impairment,” the agency stated.
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NAFDAC said it had intensified post-market surveillance activities to prevent banned, unregistered and unsafe products from entering the Nigerian market.
The agency also warned importers, distributors and retailers against the sale or distribution of the affected products, stressing that offenders would face appropriate regulatory sanctions.
Consumers were advised to verify that beverages and other regulated products meet approved safety standards before purchase and consumption.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to report any sighting of the banned products or adverse reactions linked to their consumption through the nearest NAFDAC office or the agency’s official reporting channels.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health by ensuring that unsafe and harmful products do not reach Nigerian consumers.
