The Food and Drugs Authority Ghana has directed manufacturers, importers and distributors to withdraw mixed beverages containing both alcohol and stimulants from the Ghanaian market following a post-registration safety review.
The regulator said the assessment covered drinks that combine depressant substances such as alcohol with stimulants including caffeine, inositol, glucuronolactone, ginseng and guarana — a formulation widely associated with so-called alcoholic energy drinks.
According to the authority, the review examined the safety profile and regulatory compliance of such products currently sold in Ghana.
The exercise was conducted under Sections 81 and 82(a) of the Public Health Act 2012, which empowers the FDA to enforce standards required to safeguard public health.
International regulatory precedent
In a statement, the regulator said its assessment also took into account international regulatory precedents, noting that several jurisdictions have restricted, suspended or banned alcoholic energy drinks because of concerns about their potential health effects.
A growing body of scientific and public health evidence links the combined consumption of alcohol and stimulants to elevated health risks and harmful behavioural outcomes. The FDA said these risks appear particularly pronounced among young people and first-time consumers.
The authority added that the findings of its review were endorsed by its Food Expert Committee, including the Technical Advisory Committee on Food Safety and Nutrition.
Market withdrawal deadline
Following the review, the FDA has instructed all importers, manufacturers and distributors to remove such products from the Ghanaian market by the end of March 2026.
The regulator said the withdrawal period would allow operators to clear existing stock without immediate sanctions.
However, products that remain on the market after the deadline will face regulatory action, including seizure and removal.
Reformulation requirement
Manufacturers have also been directed to reformulate their products to comply with existing regulatory standards, which treat alcoholic beverages and energy drinks as separate product categories.
The FDA said the move is intended to ensure that beverages sold in the country meet approved safety, quality and regulatory benchmarks.
Public health oversight
The regulator said it remains committed to protecting consumer health and ensuring compliance across Ghana’s food and beverage industry.
Consumers were encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspected non-compliant products to the authority for investigation and enforcement action.
Public health analysts say the decision reflects growing concern among regulators globally about alcoholic energy drinks, which critics argue can mask the depressant effects of alcohol and potentially encourage higher consumption.
