The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the importation, distribution, sale, and consumption of two alcoholic energy drinks Bel Ice Vodka Energy Drink and Cody’s Vody Energy Mix over serious public health concerns.
The agency disclosed that the alert followed a notification from the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), which recently confiscated about 140 boxes of the banned products during regulatory enforcement operations in Ghana’s Upper East Region.
According to NAFDAC, the products had earlier been prohibited from sale and distribution due to the potential health risks associated with combining alcohol and stimulant ingredients commonly found in energy drinks.
The agency explained that alcoholic energy drinks can be particularly dangerous because the stimulant content may mask the effects of alcohol intoxication, causing consumers to underestimate their level of impairment.
NAFDAC noted that young adults and adolescents are especially vulnerable to the health risks, which include excessive alcohol consumption, increased risk-taking behaviour, impaired judgment and coordination, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, dehydration, sleep disturbances, and a higher likelihood of alcohol-related injuries and accidents.
The agency advised all importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers to ensure that the affected products are neither imported nor sold in Nigeria. It also urged beverage marketers to verify that all products comply with NAFDAC registration and regulatory requirements.
NAFDAC further encouraged members of the public to report any sightings of the products or adverse reactions linked to their consumption to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the agency’s official e-reporting platform.
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