NAFDAC vows tough action against producers of banned alcoholic beverages

NAFDAC vows tough action against producers of banned alcoholic beverages

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has vowed that manufacturers, distributors and retailers violating the Federal Government’s ban on alcoholic beverages below 200ml will be severely sanction.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of one week of nationwide enforcement against banned alcoholic products.

Adeyeye said the ban was a public health intervention backed by Federal Government directives and Senate resolutions aimed at protecting Nigerians, particularly children and youths.

She said the Senate had directed NAFDAC not to extend the moratorium on sachet alcohol and to ensure immediate enforcement of the prohibition nationwide.

According to her, the National Alcohol Policy, which contains the ban on sachet alcohol and PET bottles below 200ml, was signed on July 2.

The D-G recalled that NAFDAC, the National Orientation Agency and the Federal Consumer Protection Commission jointly announced the enforcement on March 3, 2026.

She said the products were cheap, portable and easily accessible to minors, contributing to underage drinking, addiction and alcohol-related illnesses among Nigerian youths.
“The ban exists to protect Nigerians, especially our children, and NAFDAC has a duty to enforce it,” Adeyeye said.

She said the agency enforcement teams conducted coordinated raids and mop-up operations across Lagos, Ogun and several other states to remove banned alcoholic products from circulation.
According to her, the agency targeted manufacturers, distributors and retailers, stressing that none could claim ignorance because the ban had been widely publicised.

Adeyeye said inspections revealed that several manufacturers were still actively producing banned alcoholic products despite the expiration of the five years moratorium and extension given by government.

“During enforcement our officers recovered banned 100ml PET bottles and rolls of sachet packaging materials bearing production dates as recent as July 23, 2026.

“These manufacturers were producing banned products this very month. This is not a misunderstanding, it is a deliberate and calculated defiance of federal regulation,” she said.

The NAFDAC boss said some manufacturers secretly relocated production machines to unregistered facilities to evade regulatory surveillance and continue illegal operations.

She added that others removed company signboards and nameplates from their premises to conceal their identities and mislead enforcement officers.

“A manufacturer who removes his own signpost to hide from the regulator is not acting in good faith but knowingly breaking the law,” she said.

The D–Glso condemned attacks on NAFDAC enforcement officers during the nationwide operations.
She disclosed that one officer narrowly escaped being stabbed, while another was physically assaulted during lawful enforcement exercises.

“An attack on a NAFDAC officer carrying out lawful regulatory duty is an attack on the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.

She said those responsible for the assaults would be investigated and prosecuted, adding that violence would not deter the agency from enforcing the law.

“No commercial interest, manufacturer, distributor or market association has the right to obstruct or assault public officers enforcing the law,” Adeyeye said.

The D-G also reaffirmed that the ban on sachet alcohol and PET bottles below 200ml remained non-negotiable and would be strictly enforced nationwide.

According to her, manufacturers still producing banned products will have their factories shut down, while seized products will be destroyed..

She added that distributors and retailers dealing in the prohibited products would face sanctions under relevant regulatory provisions.

Adeyeye urged Nigerians to stop buying banned sachet alcohol and report manufacturers, distributors and retailers violating the ban to NAFDAC.

“We will continue this mop-up until the last sachet of banned alcohol is removed from Nigerian streets and continue protecting public health,” she said.

The NAFDAC Boss assured Nigerians that all hidden production sites would be identified and those responsible prosecuted in accordance with the law.