NAFDAC Resumes Enforcement of Ban on Sachet Alcohol Sales to Protect Public Health

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed the enforcement of a ban on the sale of alcohol beverages packaged in sachets or small plastic or glass bottles below 200 milliliters. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Adeyeye, clarified that the ban is not a shutdown of alcohol production but a prohibition on the sale of these products to protect vulnerable groups, especially children and young people.

The decision follows a Senate resolution aligning with NAFDAC's public health mandate. The ban targets the availability of high-alcohol content drinks that are cheap, easily accessible, and contribute to issues like underage drinking, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and social vices.

The enforcement, which began in January 2022, has faced criticism from industry stakeholders, including the Distil Blenders Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Labour Congress, and Trade Union Congress, who fear economic repercussions and job losses. NAFDAC reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safe and proper regulation of alcohol products in Nigeria.