The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide mop-up operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from circulation, as part of efforts to enforce the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation, distribution and sale of the products.
The enforcement exercise, which is being carried out across the six geopolitical zones, follows the closure of manufacturing facilities found to have violated the ban.
NAFDAC enforcement teams have been deployed to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and other distribution channels to identify, seize and destroy the banned alcoholic beverages.
The agency also directed manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers and transporters still in possession of the affected products to surrender them voluntarily, warning that continued production, distribution, stocking or sale would attract seizure, regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.
According to NAFDAC, the nationwide operation is part of a sustained enforcement and public awareness campaign aimed at eliminating harmful alcohol products from the market, curbing underage drinking, reducing harmful alcohol consumption and tackling substance abuse among children and young people.
The agency stated that the exercise is targeted at products that have been declared illegal and pose significant public health risks, stressing that compliant manufacturers operating within the approved packaging thresholds are not affected.
NAFDAC called on members of the public to support the enforcement exercise by reporting individuals or businesses involved in the production, storage or sale of the banned sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET bottles below 200ml.
The agency also urged Nigerians to avoid purchasing or consuming the prohibited products, describing them as unregistered, unsafe and illegal, while encouraging the public to report suspected violations to the nearest NAFDAC office.
