The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a nationwide enforcement operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200 millilitres from circulation.
The agency said the exercise is in line with the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation, distribution, sale and use of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and small PET bottles.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, had earlier explained that the policy is designed to protect children and young people rather than punish manufacturers. She said the decision was informed by growing evidence linking alcohol packaged in sachets and containers below 200ml to rising cases of underage drinking across Nigeria.
Announcing the operation in a post on X on Wednesday, the agency said the enforcement is taking place across the six geopolitical zones following the closure of non-compliant manufacturing facilities.
According to NAFDAC, enforcement teams have been deployed to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and other distribution channels to identify, seize and remove prohibited alcoholic products from circulation.
The agency warned manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and other stakeholders to immediately surrender any remaining stock of the banned products.
It stressed that continued possession or sale of the prohibited alcoholic beverages violates the law and could result in product seizure, regulatory sanctions and prosecution.
NAFDAC said the operation is intended to reduce underage drinking, harmful alcohol consumption and substance abuse, particularly among children and young people.
The agency also urged members of the public to support the enforcement by avoiding the purchase of banned products and reporting anyone involved in producing, distributing or selling them to the nearest NAFDAC office.
