UNBS closes over 160 sachet-filling machines

SACHET ALCOHOL

Standards enforcement agency Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has closed over 167 sachet-filling machines belonging to at least 37 alcohol-manufacturing companies in a bid to effect a ban on alcohol sold in sachets.

The operation was conducted in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja, and Mityana. UNBS staff also seized and confined packaging materials used in the production of sachets.

The operation follows a directive by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives, Amelia Kyambadde, banning the sale of alcohol in sachets effective June 1, 2019. After directive, she instituted a multi-agency task force, including UNBS, Ministry of Health, Uganda Police, and National Environment Management Authority to enforce the ban. 

"The ban was instituted as a consumer protection measure to guard against excessive alcohol consumption, especially among the youth. Before the ban, alcohol sold in sachets was readily available and affordable to the majority of the youth," reads part of a press release from UNBS

UNBS executive director, Dr. Ben Manyindo, said:  "We are aware that by the time we sealed off the machines some of the alcohol in sachets had already found its way on the market. Our market surveillance team will soon carry out raids on wholesale and retail outlets that could still be selling sachets. We are committed to enforcing standards to protect the health and safety of consumers."  

He urged consumers to report cases of alcohol sold in sachets.

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