The Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC) has dismissed media reviews claiming that the Federal Authorities directed it to droop enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic drinks packaged in PET bottles beneath 200ml.
In an announcement issued by its Director-Normal/CEO, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the company described the reviews as false, deceptive, and never reflective of any official communication from the Federal Authorities.
What NAFDAC is saying
Prof. Adeyeye said that the company operates strictly inside its statutory mandate and in keeping with formally communicated Federal Authorities insurance policies.
She careworn that NAFDAC has not obtained any directive to droop its enforcement actions.
- “The Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC) categorically refutes a publication circulating in some media retailers alleging that the Federal Authorities has directed the Company to droop enforcement actions on sachet alcohol and alcoholic drinks packaged in PET bottles beneath 200ml. The report is fake, deceptive, and doesn’t mirror any official communication from the Federal Authorities.
- “At no time has the Company obtained any directive to droop its regulatory or enforcement actions relating to sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic drinks. The ban stays in pressure.”
In response to her, NAFDAC has already commenced evacuating violative sachet alcohol and sub-200ml PET alcoholic merchandise from firms.
She additionally famous that some producers, having acknowledged that the coverage is aimed toward defending minors, have begun discontinuing manufacturing of the smaller pack sizes.
Adeyeye cited information indicating that about 50% of minors and underage individuals patronise retailers promoting alcohol in sachets and small PET bottles.
She reaffirmed the company’s dedication to safeguarding public well being, guaranteeing regulatory compliance, and implementing authorities insurance policies transparently and in accordance with due course of.
The company cautioned in opposition to the unfold of unverified data able to fueling misinformation and misinterpretation of presidency coverage, urging the general public and stakeholders to depend on its official communication channels.
Background
NAFDAC started imposing the ban on alcohol offered in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 200ml on February 1, 2024. The transfer was launched to handle well being dangers and curb widespread abuse of low-cost, simply accessible alcoholic drinks, significantly amongst minors and weak teams.
The company later suspended enforcement and prolonged implementation to December 31, 2025.
Earlier reviews had urged that the Federal Authorities, via the Workplace of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ordered NAFDAC to droop enforcement and cease sealing factories and warehouses. NAFDAC has now publicly denied receiving such instruction.
What this implies
The continued enforcement of the ban may have vital financial implications. The Producers Affiliation of Nigeria (MAN) beforehand warned that the coverage may threaten over 500,000 direct jobs and about 5 million oblique jobs, whereas placing investments estimated at ₦1.9 trillion in danger.
There are additionally considerations about potential income losses from decreased excise duties and taxes, in addition to the chance that restrictions may gas the rise of counterfeit and illicit alcohol merchandise.
Nevertheless, proponents of the ban, together with NAFDAC, argue that limiting sachet and small-volume alcohol reduces easy accessibility for underage people and helps curb alcohol abuse, habit, and associated well being and social issues.
What you need to know
In Might 2026, NAFDAC clarified that the sooner short-term lifting of the ban was solely legitimate till December 31, 2025, and was not a everlasting reversal.
The company reiterated that sachet alcohol merchandise containing lower than 200ml could be phased out in keeping with its regulatory and public well being aims.
