The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a nationwide enforcement campaign against alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres, signalling the full implementation of the Federal Government’s ban on the products.
The enforcement exercise, which is being carried out simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones, follows the closure of manufacturing facilities found producing the banned alcoholic drinks in violation of regulatory directives. NAFDAC teams have also been deployed to markets, supermarkets, bars, motor parks, retail outlets and other distribution channels to identify, seize and destroy the prohibited products.
In a statement, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, directed manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and hawkers to immediately surrender any remaining stock of the banned alcoholic beverages. She warned that anyone found producing, importing, distributing, transporting, stocking or selling the products would face seizure of the goods, regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.
According to the agency, the enforcement is part of a sustained nationwide campaign aimed at curbing underage drinking, reducing substance abuse and limiting easy access to cheap alcohol among young Nigerians. NAFDAC explained that the ban specifically targets sachet alcohol and alcoholic drinks packaged in PET bottles below 200ml, which it described as illegal products that should no longer be in circulation, while manufacturers complying with approved packaging standards will not be affected.
The agency also appealed to members of the public to support the exercise by reporting individuals or businesses involved in producing, distributing or selling the prohibited products. Nigerians were advised to avoid purchasing or consuming the banned alcoholic beverages and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.
