Dare es Salaam. The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has launched a series of measures to tackle the growing issue of alcohol abuse in the country.
These efforts form part of a broader national strategy to promote public health and safety, particularly in light of concerns over the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption.
During an update of achievements made in the first four years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration in Dodoma on March 18, TBS director general, Dr Ashura Katunzi, outlined the agency’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by alcohol misuse.
Dr Katunzi said that the TBS is working closely with the ministry of Health and the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (RALG) to create safer environments for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
A multi-pronged approach
The TBS has adopted a multi-faceted strategy to combat alcohol abuse.
This includes raising public awareness about the risks associated with excessive drinking and advocating for stricter regulations on the sale and consumption of alcohol.
By collaborating with key government bodies, the agency aims to ensure that alcohol-related policies are effectively implemented at both national and local levels.
In addition to its awareness campaigns, the TBS has been conducting discreet inspections of alcohol products available on the market.
“These inspections are designed to verify that all alcoholic beverages meet the required quality standards and are accurately labelled,” Dr Katunzi said.
Cracking down on substandard products
During the 2023/24 fiscal year, the TBS uncovered several instances of non-compliance during its assessments.
Notably, some brands were found to be substandard with insufficient alcohol content.
Others had issues with incorrect information on the labels misrepresenting the alcohol content of their products.
For example, certain drinks labelled as containing 45 percent alcohol were found to have only 40 percent upon testing.
This discrepancy not only misled consumers but also raised concerns about the integrity of the alcohol industry.
In response, the TBS took swift action to remove these substandard products from the market.
This move was aimed at protecting consumers from being short-changed and ensuring that they receive the quality and quantity of alcohol they pay for.
