The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has ordered the management of Adonko Bitters to submit new labels and adverts of its alcoholic drink, Adonko Bitters for approval.
This was revealed by the Minister for Health, Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, when he was responding to a question asked by the Member of Parliament for Wa West, Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh on the floor of the House. The MP asked him how the FDA sanctioned Adonko Bitters Limited when the company contravened the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).
The Minister said on Easter Monday, the 17th of April, 2017, the FDA handled a news item on the ‘Adonko Aseda Bash’, a social event organized by the Angel Group of Companies.
He indicated that the FDA became aware following media reports which alleged that minors attended the event and there was excessive intoxication of patrons leading to one person losing his life.
The Minister stated that the FDA commenced investigations to ascertain the veracity of the information in the news item. He added that based on its preliminary findings, a letter titled ‘Gross Disregard for Regulation on Alcoholic Beverages’ was sent to the company.
He intimated that the company’s license was suspended pending further investigation. The company was further directed to recall all its products on the market and also to halt the airing of its adverts.
He added that an administrative charge of Twenty Five Thousand Ghana Cedis was imposed on the company pursuant to the Fees and Charges (Amendment) Instrument, 2016 (L.I. 2228).
The Minister further indicated that samples were sent to the laboratory for examination. He said the laboratory results established that samples tested were comparable to the once submitted for the grant of market authorization.
He stated that the FDA lifted the suspension imposed on the company on the 9th of May, 2017, with the conditions that the company works with the Authority to remedy issues of bottle shape, submit new labels and adverts for approval and ensure that batch numbers are put on every production.
The Minister said the FDA has since organised training for the management and staff of Adonko Bitters Ltd. to address the regulatory gaps that led to the infractions.
