Ghana FDA reviews rules on alcohol–caffeine mixed drinks, sets March 2026 market exit deadline 

GHANA – Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has announced a review of its regulatory framework governing beverages that combine depressants such as alcohol with stimulants including caffeine, inositol, glucuronolactone, ginseng and guarana, citing growing public health concerns. 

The review was conducted under Sections 81 and 82(a) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), which mandate the FDA to establish and enforce standards necessary to protect public health and safety.  

According to the Authority, the decision follows mounting scientific and regulatory evidence linking the concurrent consumption of alcohol and stimulants to adverse health outcomes and risky psychosocial behaviours. 

In a statement, the FDA said the review was informed by assessments from its Food Expert Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee on Food Safety and Nutrition, alongside international and regional regulatory precedents.  

The Authority noted that mixed alcoholic energy drinks are of particular concern among youth, young adults and unsuspecting consumers, as stimulants may mask the depressant effects of alcohol, potentially leading to excessive consumption. 

The FDA referenced several regulatory actions taken in other jurisdictions. In Africa, Côte d’Ivoire suspended imports of “Kadhafi,” a beverage combining energy drinks and tramadol, while Uganda revoked certifications for drinks found to contain undeclared alcohol levels ranging from 1.1% to 10.3%.  

Internationally, Sweden introduced restrictions on certain energy drinks following alcohol-related deaths, including age limits and pharmacy-only sales in some cases. Lebanon has banned the production, importation and marketing of alcohol-mixed energy drinks since 2014. 

Beyond these examples, the United States Food and Drug Administration has classified caffeine as an unsafe food additive in alcoholic beverages, while Canada banned pre-mixed alcoholic energy drinks in 2010 due to similar health concerns. 

Based on these findings, Ghana’s FDA has granted manufacturers, importers and distributors a transition period until March 2026 to remove such products from the market without facing sanctions.  

During this period, affected companies are required to clear existing stock and reformulate products to comply with approved standards for alcoholic beverages and energy drinks as separate categories. 

The FDA said the directive takes immediate effect and urged industry players to take the necessary steps to ensure compliance.  

The Authority added that the measure is intended to safeguard consumer health while aligning Ghana’s regulatory environment with evolving global best practices in food and beverage safety. 

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