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Health Alert: NAFDAC Chief Reveals Why Sachet Alcohol Sales Are Being Halted
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed enforcement of its ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles below 200 millilitres, citing serious public health concerns.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The agency clarified that no alcohol-producing company has been shut down; rather, the measure targets the sale of spirit drinks in small containers, emphasizing that the move aims to protect vulnerable groups, especially children and young people.
Protecting Children and Youth
In a statement on Thursday, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye said the renewed enforcement follows a Senate resolution and aligns with the agency’s public health mandate.
“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has resumed enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles below 200ml, in line with a Senate resolution and the Agency’s mandate to protect public health,” the statement read.
NAFDAC explained that the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in small packs makes alcohol cheap, easily accessible, and easy to conceal, fueling underage drinking and other social problems.
Adeyeye noted that this trend has contributed to rising cases of addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices. She added that warning labels like “Not for children” have failed to curb the problem.
“Many parents are unaware that their children consume sachet alcohol because the packs are small, inexpensive, and easily hidden,” she said.
Reports from Schools Highlight Urgency
The NAFDAC DG cited disturbing reports from schools, including a case where a student claimed he could not take an exam without first consuming a sachet of alcohol, underscoring the urgency of enforcing the ban.
Historical Context
NAFDAC recalled that in December 2018, it signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with manufacturers, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. The deadline was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock and retool production lines.
“The current Senate resolution aligns with that agreement and Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol,” Adeyeye said.
Focus on Public Health, Not Punishment
The DG emphasized that the enforcement is not punitive but protective, aiming to safeguard the health and future of children and youth.
“This decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. We cannot continue to sacrifice Nigerians’ well-being for economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth,” she said.
She clarified that the ban applies only to spirit drinks in sachets and small PET or glass bottles under 200ml; larger pack sizes remain approved.
Industry and Labour Reactions
The renewed enforcement has sparked backlash from industry and labour groups. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders, including the Food and Beverage Tobacco Outgrowers and Bottlers, criticized the move as inconsistent and potentially harmful to the economy.
On January 23, members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Labour Congress, and the Trade Union Congress protested at NAFDAC’s Lagos office, warning that the ban could lead to the loss of up to 5.5 million jobs nationwide. Some described the policy as a regulatory misstep that fails to balance public health objectives with economic realities, particularly given the popularity of low-cost sachet spirits among low-income consumers.
NAFDAC, however, called on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to fully comply with the directive, stressing that no further extension would be granted beyond December 2025. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency to raise awareness nationwide about the dangers of alcohol misuse.
NAFDAC concluded by reiterating its dedication to ensuring that only safe, wholesome, and properly regulated alcoholic products are available to Nigerians.
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