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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET/plastic bottles below 200ml, warning manufacturers, distributors and retailers that continued violation of the ban will attract severe sanctions.
Director-General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said on Monday in Lagos that the crackdown was yielding results, with prohibited products becoming less prevalent as manufacturers shut down production of the banned pack sizes.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC was deploying a tiered enforcement strategy, moving from manufacturers to distributors and ultimately retailers to ensure that prohibited alcoholic beverages are removed from the market.
“The steps we are taking are no small steps. Using the tiered approach, you start from the source, then go to the distributor, and then to the retailers. So if the source is getting drier, then it will be drier on the streets,” she said.
The agency said seven manufacturers had fully complied with the ban, while the three largest manufacturers, which control about 80 per cent of the market, complied within the last two weeks.
Adeyeye explained that the ban was not an abrupt decision but the outcome of years of consultations between government, regulators and industry stakeholders.
“NAFDAC first raised concerns in 2018 over the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets and small bottles, which regulators said were cheap, easily concealed and readily accessible to minors.
“A five-year moratorium was subsequently agreed in December 2018, giving manufacturers until January 31, 2024, to reconfigure production lines, move to larger packaging and phase out sachet alcohol and other small-volume containers.
“When the deadline expired, NAFDAC commenced enforcement. However, resistance from industry stakeholders and intervention by the National Assembly resulted in another extension until December 31, 2025.
“The ban took full effect on January 1, 2026, covering alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets, PET/plastic bottles below 200ml and glass bottles below 200ml.”
The DG said the policy was aimed at curbing underage drinking, alcohol abuse and easy access to highly concentrated alcoholic beverages, particularly among children and young people.
The agency cited research showing that 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underage persons procured alcoholic drinks in sachets, while 41.2 per cent of minors and 47.2 per cent of underage persons procured them in PET bottles.
According to her, the agency began first-tier enforcement at the manufacturing level in January, evacuating and destroying prohibited products found in facilities.
“By July, it escalated the operation to nationwide mop-up exercises targeting markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres. The crackdown has led to factory closures and arrests where continued production of sachet alcohol was discovered.
“The Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) and Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) were required to sign Irrevocable Enforcement Undertakings on behalf of their members, committing them to stop manufacturing the prohibited products.
“Affected manufacturers must recall banned alcoholic beverages from distributors, warehouses and other points across the supply chain and submit periodic compliance reports to NAFDAC,” she added.
The agency said recalled products would be verified and destroyed under its supervision, with manufacturers bearing the full cost.
It warned that sealed facilities would only be reopened after production lines used for prohibited pack sizes had been dismantled, permanently disabled or reconfigured to prevent further production. “Defaulters risk continued closure, placement on NAFDAC’s Regulatory Watchlist, suspension or revocation of product registrations and criminal prosecution where applicable.”
Adeyeye stressed that NAFDAC was not opposed to alcohol consumption but was targeting the proliferation of high-alcohol products in cheap, small containers that make access easier for children and young people.
She urged Nigerians to report the manufacture, distribution or sale of sachet alcohol and sub-200ml PET alcoholic beverages through NAFDAC’s official channels or the nearest NAFDAC office.
