NAFDAC renews sachet alcohol ban, denies shutdown claims
Resuming Enforcement of Alcohol Packaging Ban
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed its enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles below 200 millilitres. This move is aimed at addressing public health concerns, particularly among children, adolescents, and young adults.
In a recent statement, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, emphasized that the agency did not shut down any alcohol-producing companies but only prohibited the sale of alcohol in sachets and small containers. The decision was made to mitigate the harmful use of alcohol and address growing social issues linked to its consumption.
The agency highlighted that the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content beverages in small packages has led to increased cases of underage drinking, addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices. According to Adeyeye, warning labels such as “Not for children” have proven ineffective due to societal realities, as many parents are unaware their children consume sachet alcohol.
Reports from schools have shown alarming trends, including instances where students claimed they could not sit for an examination without first consuming sachet alcohol. This has raised serious concerns about the impact of easy access to alcohol among young people.
In December 2018, NAFDAC, along with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with manufacturers to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. The moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock and reconfigure their production lines.
Adeyeye noted that the current Senate resolution aligns with the spirit and letter of this agreement and reflects Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol. She stressed that the ban is not punitive but protective, aimed at safeguarding the health and future of children and youth.
“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth by not allowing alcohol in small pack sizes,” she said. The decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations, emphasizing that the well-being of Nigerians should not be sacrificed for economic gain.
It is important to note that only spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200ml are affected by the ban. NAFDAC still approves alcoholic beverages in larger pack sizes.
The renewed enforcement has sparked immediate reactions across industry, labour, and public spheres. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders, including the Food and Beverage Tobacco Outgrowers and Bottlers (FOBTOB), have criticized the move as inconsistent and potentially damaging. On January 23, members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Labour Congress, and the Trade Union Congress gathered at the Lagos office of NAFDAC to protest the ban.
They warned that the enforcement would displace no fewer than 5.5 million Nigerians from their jobs. Some protesters described the policy as a serious regulatory misstep that fails to balance public health goals with economic realities—particularly in a country where low-cost sachet spirits remain popular among low-income consumers.
Despite these concerns, NAFDAC called on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply fully with the directive, stressing that no further extension would be granted beyond December 2025. The agency pledged to continue collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency to intensify nationwide sensitisation on the dangers of alcohol misuse.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only safe, wholesome, and properly regulated products are available to Nigerians. The agency remains focused on protecting public health while navigating the complex balance between regulation and economic impact.
Post a Comment