The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has ordered the removal of alcoholic stimulant beverages from the Ghanaian market, citing significant scientific and public health concerns, particularly among unsuspecting consumers.
According to the FDA, the decision comes into effect after review of mixed drinks containing both depressant substances (alcohol) and stimulants such as caffeine, inositol, glucuronolactone, ginseng, and guarana.
“Growing scientific and public health evidence link the combined consumption of alcohol and stimulants to serious health risks and adverse psychosocial behaviours. This is found particularly among the youth, young adults, and unsuspecting consumers,” It said in a statement.
Thus, the FDA’s Technical Advisory Committee on Food Safety and Nutrition, in a supportive review, “directed all importers, manufacturers, and distributors of mixed drinks containing both alcohol and stimulants to clear such products from the Ghanaian market by the end of March 2026 without sanctions.”
The Authority stated that a thorough review of these products was carried out, taking into account regulatory precedents, including the fact that several countries have banned alcoholic energy drinks.
“The assessment took into account international and regional regulatory precedents, where several countries have restricted, suspended, or banned alcoholic energy drinks due to their associated public health risks,” the FDA emphasized.
They instructed manufacturers and producers to re-formulate their products to conform strictly to the approved standards for Alcoholic Beverages and Energy Drinks as separate product categories.
The FDA assured its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that all food and beverage products are sold in safe, quality, and regulatory standards while taking appropriate investigative and enforcement measures to ensure strict compliance.
Source: Ernest Kelvin Okanta
