The Minister of Mines, Industries and Technological Development, Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry, has sealed the promises of Reddis Global, a company that produces sachet whisky.
According to the minister, sachets which this company packages its whisky in are not complying with health standards.
The sealing of Reddis Global, according to Fuh Calistus, is the beginning of a crackdown on companies not respecting policies put in place.
“The company produces beverages that are likely to be harmful to consumer health.”
The Minister said this while on a tour industries to Douala, the economic capital, on Thursday, March 20.
Accompanying him on the tour were officials of the quality control agency, ANOR.
Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry stated that this operation will extend to all other companies that do not comply with the applicable standards.
However, he has given other non-complying companies two months to adjust.
The Cameroon government has banned the circulation of sachet whisky since 2014, but various types of sachet whiskys continue to circulate in the country.
The ban was attributed to the abuse of whiskeys and quality concerns which have led to fatalities, and the government gave producers and distributors two years to sell off unsold stock.
But more than 10 years since the ban, sachet whiskey has continued to trade unstopped. Mostly economically nonviable Cameroonians consume the cheap but strong alcohol shots.
Consumer advocacy groups have repeatedly pushed for the government to implement the ban, to no avail.
Minister Visits Agro-Food Industries
This week, the Minister also visited some companies that are setting standards in the agro-food industries.
One of those is the Coca-Cola CRACEDOM Bottling Company Cameroon S.A. factory in Kaké.
The company produces and distributes soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta) as well as imports and distribution of spirits (Johnnie Walker, etc.).
Prof. Fuh Calistus also paid a working visit to Elim Beverage and Food S.A., a factory managed by Francis Nana Djomo, which focuses on producing natural juices and tourism development.
The company markets carbonated drinks, mineral waters, energy drinks, and fruit juices within Cameroon.
Discussions between the Minister and heads of these companies also focused on finding solutions to concerns they raised, such as energy supply, availability of raw materials, and more.
However, the Minister commended the involvement of Cameroonians across numerous sectors (agri-food, packaging, automotive, etc.), all of which reflect the successful implementation of the import-substitution policy advocated by the Head of State.
Minister Fuh Calistus stated that his Ministry actively supports these companies in enhancing their potential by responding positively to their requests.
“The government has taken note of all these challenges, and short- and medium-term solutions are on the way,” he stated.
