 |
Ukorebi Esien | November 13, 2025
ABUJA– The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning and banned several alcoholic bitters following laboratory tests that revealed dangerous and fatal effects on animals.
According to a statement released by the agency, consumption samples of one major product, Japata Alcoholic Bitters (100 ml) produced by Chigodson International Company Limited, were found to be adulterated. The registered version of the bitters contained only ethanol, but recent samples were reportedly laced with cannabis and had significantly elevated alcohol content.
During laboratory testing, mice exposed to the adulterated product reportedly died within five minutes. NAFDAC said that retained samples from earlier registration did not have this effect, indicating that the current batches in circulation had been altered and rendered unfit for human consumption.
In addition to Japata, the agency published a list of other alcoholic beverages now banned for safety reasons. These include:
BOP-Daddy Ginger Liquor (200 ml)
Cork & Shoot Alcoholic Bitters (100 ml)
One Core Alcoholic Bitters Drink (100 ml)
Legit.ng - Nigeria news.
NAFDAC stated that the production facility in Lagos State has been shut down, and the proprietor is currently at large. The matter has also been referred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.
Legit.ng - Nigeria news.
The risk posed by these adulterated alcoholic beverages extends beyond conventional health concerns: NAFDAC warned that the product's contents may cause altered mental states, psychological issues, and pose heightened danger to vulnerable consumers – including drivers and other users of public transport – who may lose control, raising the threat of traffic accidents or other incidents.
Consumers are urged to remain vigilant: only purchase alcoholic beverages from reputable sources, check for proper registration and seals, and avoid unbranded or suspicious products sold informally. NAFDAC further invited health practitioners, media, community and religious leaders to assist in educating the public about the perils of illicit or unregulated beverages.
Context & Implications
This move by NAFDAC comes amid wider efforts to clamp down on adulterated pharmaceuticals, illicit herbal remedies and unregulated ingestible products in Nigeria. The agency's action signals a more aggressive stance on alcohol products that masquerade as safe while carrying hidden and harmful substances. The public health implications are serious, given the widespread accessibility of small-bottle bitters and herbal alcoholic concoctions in many states.
For manufacturers and distributors, this development underscores the need for full compliance with regulatory registration, transparent supply chains, and rigorous quality assurance. Failure to meet these obligations now carries not just reputational risks but criminal referral and market shutdowns.
What to Do If You've Consumed These Products
If you have purchased or consumed any of the listed bitters, stop immediately and monitor for symptoms of poisoning, altered mental state, abdominal pain, or neurological changes.
Report suspicious beverages or illegal manufacturing activities to your state-level NAFDAC office or call their toll-free consumer line (listed on the agency's website).
Advocacy groups and civil society actors are encouraged to collaborate with regulatory bodies to track the distribution of illicit alcohol, raise awareness and assist in enforcement.
The banning of these alcoholic bitters following the dramatic lab findings of mice dying within minutes serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by adulterated beverages. NAFDAC's call for vigilance is timely, and all stakeholders, from consumers and civil society to regulators and law enforcement, must now work together to ensure that what goes into bottles is safe and compliant, and that Nigerians are protected from hidden harms hiding in unsuspecting products.
0 comments: