NAFDAC Begins Enforcement Of Ban On Alcohol In Sachets

By Ayodele Oni

Citing backing by the Senate, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has began full enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcohol  packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, announced the development  in Lagos during a media briefing organised by the agency.

She said the move followed fresh formal authorisation from the Nigerian Senate, adding that enforcement activities are already underway across the country.

NAFDAC had earlier announced plans to commence total enforcement of the ban by December 2025, in line with a Senate directive, saying the new approval from the upper legislative chamber has accelerated the process.

A report monitored on TVC News, stated that the Senate resolution arose from a motion sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), during which Lawmakers raised concerns over the widespread sale of high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets and small bottles.

They warned that the products’ low cost and ease of concealment posed serious public health and social risks, especially to minors and young adults.

The motion received bipartisan support and was adopted during plenary.

Following the resolution, the Senate directed NAFDAC to enforce existing regulations prohibiting the sale of alcohol in sachets and small-volume containers.

Adeyeye explained that the enforcement drive is aimed at protecting public health and shielding vulnerable groups from the harmful effects of alcohol abuse.

“The widespread availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets and small containers makes them cheap, accessible and easy to conceal,” she said.

She stressed that NAFDAC is not opposed to alcohol consumption, but to its packaging in forms that expose children and young people to harm.

Adeyeye revealed that before her tenure, some sachet alcohol products contained between 50 and 90 per cent alcohol,  describing the levels as dangerously high.

She pointed out that the agency has directed manufacturers to reduce alcohol content to 30 per cent adding that, many resisted, citing fears of job losses and investment setbacks.

The issue was later escalated to the Federal Ministry of Health which granted manufacturers a five-year transition period, from December 2018 to January 31, 2024, to restructure and comply with regulations.

Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to public safety. She said the agency will continue to prioritise the protection of vulnerable populations through sustained and strict enforcement.