Nigeria fines Guinness 1 billion Naira over expired raw materials

Nigeria’s Guinness said on Thursday it had been fined 1 billion naira ($5 million) by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria’s food and drug agency over alleged infractions relating to the destruction and re-validation of expired raw materials without prior approval.

The local unit of Diageo said it did not fully understand the basis for the fine, nor the particular regulations infringed, but was in talks with the NAFDAC to resolve the matter.

It said Guinness had operated in Nigeria for over 65 years and had conducted its business in accordance with the law and Diageo’s procedures relating to manufacturing practice. In a statment, Guiness said:

We remain committed to working with NAFDAC and other regulatory authorities … to produce and market quality products … and look forward to being able to resolve the issue.

NAFDAC gave Guinness, Nigeria’s second-largest brewer, two-weeks from Nov. 9 to pay the fine.

Source: Reuters