On store shelves, the small pouches can easily be mistaken for similarly packaged fruit purees or other liquid products that parents often choose to quickly satisfy their small children.
The problem is that the new product contains high-proof alcohol, which is dangerously lethal for young children. Following a wave of public outrage and citizen reports about this controversial product, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a reaction during a Tuesday cabinet meeting.
He demanded an immediate ban on the sale of alcohol in pouches, which will be handled by Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski.
"We will focus on finding an effective method to block this practice associated with alcohol pouches," PM Tusk stated, stressing that there would be consequences for those who do not remain vigilant. "Alcohol in pouches will not be allowed," he further asserted in a recording shared on social media.
Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka also voiced her concerns on Polish Radio, opposing the sale of alcohol in this form. She stressed the urgent need for a change in regulations to prevent producers from exploiting legal loopholes.
"I am deeply outraged; I am a parent, and when I saw this, I was deeply shaken," said Nowacka, announcing an official letter to the Ministry of Health requesting changes to the regulations regarding alcohol packaging.
Szymon Hołownia, the Speaker of the Sejm and a father of young children himself, referred to the alcohol pouches as "pure evil" and stated that he would ask the Ministry of Finance for clarifications, as he believes the introduction of such a product must have been consulted with state authorities.
The medical community is also outraged by the appearance of alcohol pouches in Polish stores. One physician called for swift action from politicians. "Alcohol in packaging resembling fruit purees poses a real threat to the health of children and teenagers. It’s time for quick action to ensure that marketing does not triumph over public health," wrote Prof. Mateusz Jankowski, an epidemiologist, on social media.
The Chief Sanitary Inspector, Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski, highlighted the risks associated with selling alcohol in pouches resembling fruit purees for children and announced inspections in production facilities and stores.
He emphasized that "if it is to be high-proof alcohol, it must be sold exclusively at alcohol stands," and the Sanitary Inspection opposes this form of sale due to the potential for confusion.
Dr. Grzesiowski warned that "the easy access to such packaging at mass events raises serious concerns" and confirmed that the ministries of health and education will collaborate to introduce a ban on the presence of this product in stores.
UPDATE: Alcohol sachet production suspended after public outcry
In response to the wave of outrage in Poland, the management of the company producing alcohol sachets has decided to immediately withdraw this product from the market and halt all production – reported the editorial team of the money.pl website.
The company insists it did not intentionally break the law and had no intention of the product reaching children. Its CEO, Andrzej Gajowniczek, suggested that competitors might be behind the backlash. He emphasized that the packaging clearly indicates the alcohol content.
Source: IAR/PR24/money.pl/X/@donaldtusk/@MateJankowski
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