The Food and Drugs Authority has imposed a GHC25,000 fine on the Angel Group of Companies, producers of Adonko Bitters, for selling alcoholic beverages to persons under 18 years.
This following investigation into a binge drinking fiasco at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi during an Easter Monday concert organized by the company.
Makers of the alcoholic beverage were found to sold the drinks to many youth, who were found knocked out on the pitch and others parts of the stadium ostensibly from excessive alcohol intake the morning after the concert.
A statement from the FDA said its investigation confirmed that the criterion the purchase of a 750ml bottle of the alcoholic beverage at a cost of GH¢10.
The situation resulted in the alcoholic beverage being sold to minors and excessive consumption, clearly putting the consumers at risk of flouting the caution of drinking responsibly.
It said the actions of the company “contravened Section 3.2.19 of the FDA Guidelines for the Advertisement of Food products which states that, “No alcoholic beverage shall be advertised in relation to a public function where persons under the legal drinking age are likely to attend.â€
“The Company also contravened Section 3.2.12 of the FDA Guidelines, which prohibits the use of well-known personalities in the marketing of alcoholic beverages. Musicians Shatta Wale and Bisa Kdei were at the event to promote the drink.
According to the FDA, patrons were exposed to unwarranted serious health risks bordering on public health.
The statement continued that the Angel Group of Companies has been directed to recall the product, Adonko Bitters, from trade and to furnish the FDA with details of the recall plan and subsequently, the progress of the recall plan.
The company is also to pay an administrative charge of GH¢25,000 for failing to comply with the above regulatory requirements.
The FDA further warned that it will impose more sanctions if the Angel Group of Companies failed comply
Â
Â