The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide enforcement exercise to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles smaller than 200 millilitres from circulation across Nigeria. The move reinforces the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation and sale of the affected alcoholic products.

According to NAFDAC, the enforcement operation is being carried out simultaneously across the country’s six geopolitical zones following the closure of manufacturing facilities found to be violating the ban. Enforcement teams have been deployed to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and other distribution channels to identify, seize and destroy the prohibited products.

The agency warned manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and hawkers to voluntarily surrender any remaining stock of the banned alcoholic beverages. It stressed that anyone found producing, importing, distributing, transporting, stocking or selling the prohibited products risks seizure of the items, regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.

NAFDAC said the exercise forms part of its sustained efforts to reduce underage drinking, harmful alcohol consumption and substance abuse among children and young people, while promoting responsible alcohol consumption among adults. The agency added that the enforcement is not aimed at manufacturers complying with approved packaging standards but at eliminating products considered harmful to public health.

The agency also urged Nigerians to support the enforcement by reporting anyone producing, stocking or selling sachet alcohol and alcoholic drinks packaged in PET bottles below 200ml. It advised the public to avoid patronising the banned products, describing them as illegal under the current regulations.