The importation, manufacture, distribution, sale and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, and bottles of 200ml and below have become illegal in Nigeria effective 1 February 2024.
The director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, announced this at a press conference on Monday.
“Alcoholic drinks in sachets, PET and Glass bottles are pocket-friendly and can easily be carried around, by the under-aged (including primary and secondary school children) without notice,” the NAFDAC boss explained.
“It is easily affordable and comes in handy for commercial bus drivers, keke riders, okada riders, etc who after taking them constitute a nuisance to the society.”
“The negative impact of the harmful consumption of alcohol which is occasioned by its being economical, easily accessible and miniature in nature, prompted NAFDAC to take the bold step of banning it, to save our children and to protect the health of the larger society.”
NAFDAC, in January 2022, stopped the registration of alcoholic beverages in sachet and small volume plastic and glass bottles below 200ml.
The agency gave manufacturers of the products until 31 January 2024 to sell off all alcoholic drinks that fall under the above-mentioned category.
On 1 February, NAFDAC officers took to the streets to enforce the ban.
“It will surprise you to know that in the course of the enforcement actions it was discovered that some manufacturers of these banned products were still in production of the banned products and still had stacks of both finished products and packaging materials of the products in their possession,” Adeyeye 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.”
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