The investigative and enforcement team of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has initiated a countrywide clampdown on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets, small volume Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and glass bottles below 200ml
This action follows NAFDAC’s decision to halt the registration of new drinks below 200ml with an alcohol content exceeding 30%, based on the recommendations of a committee comprising the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in December 2018.
In January 2022, NAFDAC issued a directive instructing manufacturers of such alcoholic beverages to cease production and sales by January 31, 2024. The Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria were also tasked with conducting extensive nationwide sensitization among manufacturers.
Despite these directives, some companies reportedly continued to manufacture 30ml, 35ml, 100ml, and 120ml alcohol products with a 43% alcohol volume, surpassing the 30% limit mandated by NAFDAC.
During the enforcement operation in Lagos, it was revealed that certain production facilities still possessed significant quantities of the banned items. Some claimed ignorance of the deadline, alleging they did not receive any circular.
They also cited consumers’ limited purchasing power, leading to the high demand for smaller packages priced between N60 and N100.
Kunle Ojo, Assistant Director of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate at NAFDAC, leading the operation, emphasized that the crackdown aims to enforce the ban in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to curb alcohol abuse, particularly among individuals under 18 years old.
Ojo stated, “The affordability of the drinks is what causes the abuse because underage people can easily afford it; I mean some students in secondary school, making them engage in several social vices.”
