NAFDAC Takes Firm Action Against Alcohol in Sachets and Other Forms

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, says it has begun to enforce the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.

Disclosing this was the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, who addressed a  press conference in Abuja, on Monday.

She said: “As of January 31, 2024, there is no alcoholic beverage in these categories that are registered by NAFDAC. 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.

“To this end on the first day, after the elapse of the window period, the agency commenced nationwide enforcement actions on February 1, 2024 to enforce the implementation of the new policy”.

The NAFDAC boss said it was not acceptable that some manufacturers  still had stacks of alcoholic products in the  banned packages.

She said: “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, to prevent sterner measures including prosecution”.