Tanzania Bureau of Standards warns of rising alcohol misuse, calls for stricter controls
TBS raises concerns over excessive alcohol consumption, highlighting unsafe drinking habits and regulatory measures to curb risks among young people.
TANZANIA – The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has raised concerns over the growing issue of improper alcohol consumption, warning that excessive drinking, particularly among young people, could pose significant health and social risks in the next two decades.
TBS Director General Dr. Ashura Katunzi revealed that a recent market risk assessment on alcoholic beverages identified a high level of risky alcohol being sold and consumed without sufficient regulation.
The assessment, conducted in the early months of the current financial year, involved 400 respondents and included inspections and quality tests on alcoholic products available in the market.
“The main issue we face is not necessarily the poor quality of alcoholic products but unsafe consumption habits. People are drinking beyond recommended limits or mixing alcohol with substances that shouldn’t be added. Additionally, alcohol is too readily available,” Dr. Katunzi stated.
To address these concerns, TBS has begun collaborating with other regulatory authorities, including the Ministry of Health and the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), to ensure that alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed in a controlled and safe environment.
Dr. Katunzi stressed that if the current trend of excessive alcohol consumption continues, Tanzania could face a severe public health crisis.
As part of its response, TBS has drafted recommendations aimed at regulating alcohol sales to prevent uncontrolled availability and its associated risks.
The assessment findings also indicated that while most alcoholic products meet required safety standards, some were found to have lower alcohol content than advertised.
“For instance, a spirit expected to have 45 percent alcohol was found to contain only 40 percent,” Dr. Katunzi noted.
Between July and December 2024, TBS conducted product inspections and removed substandard goods worth TZS 1.5 billion from the market. These products were subsequently destroyed to protect consumers from unsafe items.
“The government is not in the business of increasing poverty among Tanzanians. TBS is responsible for ensuring public safety. If you find that a product is substandard, do not buy it. As consumers, we create demand for low-quality products,” Dr. Katunzi advised.
Over the past four years, TBS has registered 31,592 production, sales, distribution, and storage facilities for food and cosmetics, ensuring they comply with quality and safety standards.
Additionally, the agency has inspected 18,588 imported consignments and 162,160 vehicles entering Tanzania to prevent the influx of substandard products, thereby safeguarding public health and environmental safety.
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