Resignation follows alcohol sachets scandal in Poland, product pulled from market

Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna accepted the resignation of Piotr Jabłoński, director of the National Center for Counteracting Addictions, following the controversy surrounding alcohol sachets resembling fruit purees for children.

Alcohol sachets have been removed from the Polish market following a wave of public and governmental outrage, leading Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna to accept the resignation of Piotr Jabłoński, director of the National Center for Counteracting Addictions, amid the controversy regarding their similarity to fruit purees for children.

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The Quality Inspection Authority is currently conducting nationwide checks on stores to assess the labeling and packaging of these products, as well as how they are made available to consumers.

"If the products being inspected mislead consumers about their identity through description, presentation, or labeling, inspectors will impose severe financial penalties and inform the relevant authorities," stated the agency.

❗ Minister Izabela @Leszczyna przyjęła dziś rezygnację Piotra Jabłońskiego – dyrektora Krajowego Centrum Przeciwdziałania Uzależnieniom (KCPU) i odwołała go z zajmowanego stanowiska.

— Ministerstwo Zdrowia (@MZ_GOV_PL) October 2, 2024

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to ban the sale of plastic tubes and sachets containing vodka and liquors, with the Ministry of Agriculture tasked to prepare the regulation.

Additionally, legal changes regarding alcohol packaging will be implemented. The producer of the alcohol sachets has promised to withdraw the product from the market immediately.

Read more about this subject:

• Controversial pouch vodka sparks outrage in Poland's government
• Poles drink less beer as health trends take hold
• Up to 12 million Poles affected by impact of alcoholism, tobacco addiction: study

Source: IAR/MZ

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