The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide enforcement operation to remove banned alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres from circulation.
NAFDAC said this is in line with the Federal government’s directive prohibiting their production, importation, distribution, sale and consumption.
The agency announced that the coordinated operation is being carried out simultaneously across the country’s six geopolitical zones as part of efforts to enforce compliance with the ban and strengthen measures aimed at protecting public health.
According to NAFDAC, the enforcement exercise follows the closure of manufacturing facilities found to be operating in violation of the regulations and marks a new phase in the implementation of the government’s policy on alcohol packaging.
The agency said its enforcement teams have been deployed to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and other distribution channels to identify, seize and remove the prohibited alcoholic products from circulation.
NAFDAC warned that manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and other stakeholders in the alcohol value chain must immediately surrender any remaining stock of the banned products.
It stressed that continued possession, distribution or sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets or PET bottles below 200ml constitutes a violation of existing regulations and could attract seizure of the products, regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.
The agency explained that the nationwide mop-up is designed to curb underage drinking, reduce harmful alcohol consumption and tackle the growing challenge of substance abuse, particularly among children, adolescents and young adults.
TNG reports public health advocates have long expressed concern over the easy accessibility and affordability of sachet alcohol, arguing that the products encourage excessive consumption and make alcoholic beverages readily available to minors.
NAFDAC called on the public to support the enforcement exercise by refraining from purchasing the banned products and reporting anyone involved in their production, distribution or sale to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The agency also urged Nigerians to report violations through its toll-free line, 0800-1-623322, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring strict compliance with the Federal government’s regulatory measures on alcoholic beverages.
The latest enforcement drive signals a tougher regulatory stance by NAFDAC as it intensifies efforts to rid the market of prohibited alcoholic products and ensure that all operators in the sector comply with the country’s safety and public health standards.