The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its enforcement campaign against banned alcoholic beverages, seizing products worth over ₦52 million during a mop-up operation at Wuse Market in Abuja. The operation, announced via the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, targets sachets and PET bottles of alcoholic drinks smaller than 200ml.
This crackdown stems from a 2018 ministerial directive, following a wave of consultations with key stakeholders, including the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), the Association of Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). The directive sought to phase out these products over time, citing their adverse health effects and risks to public safety. Now, NAFDAC has entered the full enforcement phase, ensuring compliance nationwide.
In its announcement, NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to protecting public health, warning manufacturers, distributors, and retailers against continued production or sale of the banned beverages. “Violators will face severe penalties in accordance with the agency’s regulations,” NAFDAC stated, underscoring its zero-tolerance stance.
The agency also cautioned the public against purchasing or consuming these products, emphasizing their harmful health implications, particularly for children and vulnerable groups. Studies have linked the high alcohol content in sachets and small PET bottles to addiction, alcohol poisoning, and other long-term health issues.
The ban is a critical step in addressing the proliferation of substandard alcoholic beverages, which have often found their way into the hands of underage consumers due to their affordability and accessibility. By enforcing this regulation, NAFDAC aims to curb the negative social and health impacts associated with these products.
The agency acknowledged the contributions of industry stakeholders in phasing out these harmful products. Manufacturers were granted a phased timeline to transition, ensuring they had ample time to adjust their production lines and distribution networks. However, with the final deadline now passed, NAFDAC is leaving no stone unturned in enforcing compliance.
This bold move sends a clear message to the industry and the public: the era of unchecked production and consumption of dangerous alcoholic beverages is over. As NAFDAC strengthens its regulatory oversight, it calls on Nigerians to support this initiative by reporting violators and prioritizing public health.
NAFDAC urges citizens to report non-compliance through its official communication channels and promises to remain relentless in its mission to safeguard public health. “Together, we can create a safer environment free from harmful substances,” the agency concluded.
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