NAFDAC begins nationwide enforcement against banned sachet and small-size alcoholic drinks, warning producers, sellers and distributors of sanctions.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its campaign against the circulation of prohibited alcoholic beverages, launching a nationwide enforcement operation targeting sachet-packaged alcohol and alcoholic drinks sold in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres.
The latest action, which began on Wednesday, signals the full implementation of the Federal Government’s directive restricting the production and distribution of the affected alcoholic products.
The enforcement exercise is being carried out across the six geopolitical zones, with officials of the regulatory agency deployed to different parts of the country to ensure that the banned products are removed from the market.
NAFDAC enforcement officers have been visiting major markets, motor parks, supermarkets, retail outlets, bars, warehouses and other locations where alcoholic beverages are sold or distributed.
The agency’s teams are expected to identify the prohibited products, confiscate them and take further action in accordance with existing regulatory procedures.
The development comes after NAFDAC moved against manufacturing facilities allegedly found to have continued producing alcoholic drinks in packaging formats that had already been prohibited by the government.
The agency has warned that the enforcement would not be limited to manufacturers alone. Individuals and businesses involved at any stage of the supply chain, including importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers and transporters, could also face regulatory action if found handling the banned products.
In a statement, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, directed all stakeholders who may still have stocks of the affected alcoholic beverages to surrender them without delay.
She warned that continued possession, distribution or sale of the products could lead to their seizure and expose those involved to regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.
The agency’s position is that the affected alcoholic beverages are no longer permitted to remain in circulation, making it necessary for businesses and individuals to comply with the directive or face the consequences of violating the regulations.
NAFDAC said the ongoing operation is part of a broader effort to address concerns surrounding the availability of cheap and easily accessible alcoholic drinks, particularly those sold in small packages.
According to the agency, the policy is intended to reduce the exposure of children, teenagers and other vulnerable members of society to alcoholic beverages.
There have been longstanding concerns that the small size and relatively low cost of some alcoholic drinks make them easier to purchase and conceal, potentially increasing access among underage consumers.
NAFDAC’s latest action is therefore being positioned as part of a wider public health intervention aimed at reducing underage drinking, substance abuse and other alcohol-related risks.
The agency also emphasised that the enforcement exercise is not designed to punish manufacturers who comply with the approved packaging requirements.
Rather, the operation is focused specifically on products that fall within the prohibited categories and are still being manufactured, imported or distributed despite the government’s directive.
The regulator described sachet-packaged alcoholic drinks and alcoholic beverages contained in PET bottles below 200ml as prohibited products that should no longer be available for sale in the Nigerian market.
NAFDAC further warned members of the public against purchasing or consuming the affected products, urging consumers to cooperate with the enforcement teams by providing useful information about businesses that continue to stock or sell them.
The agency appealed to Nigerians to report suspicious activities involving the production, transportation, storage or distribution of the banned alcoholic beverages to the nearest NAFDAC office.
It said public cooperation would be essential to the success of the exercise, particularly because the products could continue to enter the market through informal distribution networks if enforcement efforts are not supported by consumers and communities.
The agency also stressed that the nationwide operation would not be a one-off intervention. Instead, it forms part of a sustained enforcement and public enlightenment campaign designed to ensure that prohibited alcoholic products are gradually eliminated from the Nigerian market.
The government has faced increasing pressure to strengthen controls around the production and sale of alcoholic beverages, especially amid concerns about the impact of alcohol abuse on young Nigerians.
Through the latest enforcement operation, NAFDAC is seeking to close loopholes within the supply chain and ensure that manufacturers and distributors comply fully with established regulations.
The crackdown could also have significant implications for retailers and other businesses that rely on the sale of alcoholic beverages, as those found with prohibited products may now face increased scrutiny from regulatory officials.
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NAFDAC’s latest move therefore represents a significant escalation in the enforcement of Nigeria’s alcohol control measures.
With enforcement teams operating across the country, the agency is sending a clear warning that the ban on sachet alcohol and sub-200ml PET-packaged alcoholic drinks will be actively enforced.
The agency has urged businesses to comply with the directive and members of the public to support the campaign by refusing to purchase prohibited products and reporting violations.
The exercise, NAFDAC maintained, is ultimately aimed at protecting public health, limiting access to potentially harmful alcoholic beverages and encouraging responsible alcohol consumption among adults.
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