The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has commenced a nationwide operation to remove banned alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles of less than 200ml from circulation.
NAFDAC announced the enforcement exercise in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the operation supports the Federal Government’s prohibition on the production, importation and sale of the affected alcohol products in Nigeria.
According to the agency, enforcement activities are taking place across the country’s six geopolitical zones following the shutdown of manufacturing facilities found to be operating in violation of the ban.
NAFDAC enforcement teams are carrying out coordinated inspections at markets, motor parks, retail shops, bars and other distribution points where the prohibited products may still be stocked or sold.
The agency said affected alcoholic beverages discovered during the exercise would be confiscated and destroyed in line with existing regulatory procedures.
Manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers and transporters were advised to voluntarily hand over any remaining stock of the banned products.
NAFDAC warned that individuals and businesses found keeping or selling the prohibited alcoholic beverages could face seizure of their products, regulatory penalties and possible prosecution.
The agency stressed that the nationwide exercise would not be a one-time operation but part of a continuous enforcement and public awareness campaign.
It said the initiative was designed to eliminate alcohol products considered harmful, reduce access among children and adolescents and encourage responsible alcohol consumption by adults.
NAFDAC also linked the enforcement campaign to broader efforts to address underage drinking, harmful alcohol use and substance abuse among children and young people in Nigeria.
The agency, however, clarified that manufacturers complying with approved packaging requirements were not the target of the operation.
According to NAFDAC, the enforcement is specifically focused on prohibited products considered to pose significant public health concerns.
The agency called on Nigerians to support the campaign by reporting individuals or businesses involved in the production, storage or sale of alcoholic drinks in banned sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.
Consumers were also advised not to purchase the affected products, which NAFDAC described as illegal, unsafe and unregistered.
The agency urged members of the public and industry stakeholders to cooperate with regulators in protecting communities and reducing alcohol-related risks, particularly among children and young people.
