Government cracks down on alcoholic energy drinks
Date Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2008Author: Bermuda Network News
Health, Legal
Latest News
- BERMUDA NETWORK NEWS WILL RE-LAUNCH SEPTEMBER 1
- African Accountants Face Salary Discrimination
- Telecommunications Reform Plodding Ahead
- Education Town Hall Meetings to Report Progress
- Ole Style Pre-Heritage Day Parade
- Extra public holiday for National Heroes’ Day
- Motorist and passenger injured
- Cabinet Office launches internship programme
- Man questioned over murder
- Historical Heartbeats lectures begin tonight
Search Local News:
The Government is cracking down on the sale of alcoholic energy drinks from unlicensed premises.
At a press conference yesterday Health Minister Nelson Bascome said: “I am very concerned that some businesses are knowingly selling alcoholic beverages without a licence.
“These beverages are available for general sale to minors and unsuspecting members of the community. I wish this to serve as a general warning to all business owners that the Ministry of Health and the Police will be working in conjunction to identify those locations and to then take the necessary steps to bring offenders before the courts.”
Officials from the Ministry of Health tested the alcohol content of a number of products and their findings show that three brands are above the alcohol content threshold.
Baba Roots contains 3% alc/vol, Zion 6% alc/vol and Magnum 16% alc/vol. This compares to an average of 3-6% alc/vol for beers and ales, 10-12% alc/vol for wines and 20-60% alc/vol for spirits.
Minister Bascome advised that effective immediately, all unlicensed premises must discontinue the sale of these products.
Attorney General Kim Wilson said that under section 2 of the Liquor Licence Act 1974, persons or establishments that sell intoxicating liquor may only do so if they have first been granted a liquor licence to do so. The Act carries a penalty of six months imprisonment or a fine of $1000.
Minister Bascome added: “From this point forward, ignorance will not be an excuse for the sale of any product not listed but which has alcohol content over the threshold. If any business owner is not sure about any product, they can bring a sample to the Ministry of Health and we will be glad to analyse it and then advise them on whether or not it can be sold from their premises.”