Guinness Nigeria Plc To Pay N1 Billion Fine For Using Expired Products To Make Drink

Brewery giant, Guinness Nigeria Plc has been ordered to pay N1bn
fine redeemable in two weeks “for various clandestine violations of
NAFDAC rules, regulations and enactments over a long period of
time.”
The agency directed Guinness to ensure the payment of the
N1bn within two weeks of the receipt of its letter.
In a letter referenced ENFD/7218/Vol. 1/85 and dated November 9,
2015 addressed to the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc by
the Head, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, Mr. Kingsley
Ejiofor, the regulatory agency requested for the payment of the
N1bn as administrative charges for infractions such as the
destruction activities carried out by the company without the
authorisation and supervision of the agency.
Guinness was also accused of revalidating expired products
without authorisation and supervision by NAFDAC, as well as
failing to secure the gate of its warehouse as the raw materials
used in the production of beer and non-alcoholic beverages by
the firm were permanently opened to intrusion and exposure to
the elements and rodents, which “invariably affect the integrity
of the raw materials.”
The brewer was also alleged to maintain poor documentation record
and not complying with conditions contained in the certificate of
validation of the revalidated malt extract, which required the storage
of the items in cool and dry place, and elimination of exposure to
sunlight.
In a statement made available to our correspondents on
Wednesday, Guinness said it was in receipt of the letter from
NAFDAC and the demand for the payment of N1bn for certain
alleged regulatory infractions.