The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered Guinness Nigeria Plc to pay N1bn “as administrative charges for various clandestine violations of NAFDA rules, regulations and enactments over a long period of time.”

In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc by the Head of Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, Mr. Kinglsey Ejiofor and published by the Punch Newspapers, the agency requested for the payment of the N1bn as administrative charges for infractions such as the destruction activities carried out by the company without the authorization and supervision of the agency.

Guinness was also accused of revalidating expired products without authorisation and supervision by NAFDAC, as well as failing to secure the gate of its warehouse as the raw materials used in the production of beer and non-alcoholic beverages by the firm were permanently opened to intrusion and exposure to the elements and rodents, which “invariably affect the integrity of the raw materials.”

The company was also alleged to maintain poor documentation record and not complying with conditions contained in the certificate of validation of the revalidated malt extract, which required the storage of the items in cool and dry place, and elimination of exposure to sunlight.

The letter referenced ENFD/7218/Vol. 1/85 and dated November 9, 2015, states, “In view of the above, you are further required to take the following actions: disclosure of all your warehouses in the country and submission of inventory level of the stock thereof; submit a written voluntary consent of forfeiture for destruction of the expired and revalidated raw materials discovered in your warehouse; and submit a notarised undertaking to comply with all the guidelines, rules, regulations and enactments of the agency, and to refrain from any future violations.”

The agency directed Guinness to ensure the payment of the N1bn within two weeks of the receipt of its letter.

Source: Punch Newspapers