The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has intensified its nationwide crackdown on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small plastic bottles.
The agency says the ban covers alcoholic drinks in sachets, PET bottles below 200 millilitres and glass bottles below 200 millilitres.
NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos, saying enforcement followed an agreement by manufacturers to discontinue production and distribution of the prohibited products.
Adeyeye said the policy was introduced after years of consultations among government agencies, regulators and manufacturers over concerns about the widespread availability of highly concentrated alcoholic drinks in small packages.
She said the concerns were first raised in 2018, particularly because the products were affordable, easy to conceal and readily accessible to minors.
According to NAFDAC, a five-year moratorium was granted to manufacturers in December 2018 to allow them to reconfigure their production lines and phase out sachet alcohol and small-volume bottles.
The initial deadline was January 31, 2024, but following resistance from industry stakeholders and intervention by the National Assembly, the Federal Government extended it to December 31, 2025.
NAFDAC says the full ban consequently took effect on January 1, 2026.
The agency says enforcement began with manufacturers in January, while a nationwide mop-up operation commenced in July, targeting markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres.
Some factories have been shut, while personnel allegedly involved in the continued production of prohibited alcoholic products were arrested.
NAFDAC says affected manufacturers must recall all banned products from the supply chain and submit compliance reports before their facilities can be reopened.
Recalled products will be verified and destroyed under NAFDAC supervision, with manufacturers bearing the cost.
The agency also warned that factories will remain sealed until prohibited production lines are dismantled, permanently disabled or reconfigured to prevent further production.
Companies that fail to comply risk continued closure, placement on NAFDAC’s Regulatory Watchlist, suspension or revocation of product registrations and possible criminal prosecution.
NAFDAC says the enforcement is aimed at reducing underage drinking and alcohol abuse, particularly among children and young people.
The agency urged the public to report the sale, distribution or manufacture of prohibited alcoholic products to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its official communication channels.
