FG Bans Sachet Alcoholic Drinks
The Federal Government has banned the importation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles of 200ml and below.
The Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency has commenced the enforcement of the ban.
Adeyeye, who disclosed this at a news conference today (Monday) in Abuja, said the window period given to manufacturers by NAFDAC to sell off all alcoholic drinks in this category elapsed on January 31, 2024.
She said: “I also want to inform you that the agency has started enforcement actions to enforce the implementation of this policy.
“The window period given to manufacturers by NAFDAC to sell off all alcoholic drinks in this category elapsed on January 31, 2024.
“After the expiration of the window period, the agency commenced nationwide enforcement actions on February 1, 2024, to enforce the implementation of the new policy.”
Adeyeye said during enforcement actions, it was discovered that some manufacturers of the banned products were still producing the products, and still had stacks of both finished products and packaging materials of the products in their possession.
“This situation is of course not acceptable, and the agency views this as flagrant disobedience to the laws of Nigeria. NAFDAC views this matter seriously and will engage all statutory means, which may include prosecution, to deal with the matter.
“I want to use this medium to ask all holders of alcohol in sachets, PET and glass bottles, empty sachets, PET bottles, empty glass bottles, and other packaging materials of these banned products to immediately report to the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC for hand-over of same to NAFDAC for destruction.
“NAFDAC is committed to ensuring that the validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category does not exceed the year 2024.
“NAFDAC is resolutely committed to the strict implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the health of Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable youth, against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol.”
