Sachet alcohol: Recall products or risk closure, NAFDAC warns manufacturers

n n

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Monday, ordered manufacturers of banned alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethene terephthalate bottles below 200 millilitres to immediately recall the products nationwide or risk closure of their facilities.

n

NAFDAC vowed to fully enforce the Federal Government-approved prohibition of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET/plastic bottles below 200ml, warning that the ban was irrevocable.

n

The agency stated that the many years of grace given to manufacturers by the Federal Government to stop producing the products had expired.

n

PUNCH Healthwise reports that in January 2026, NAFDAC announced the commencement of first-tier enforcement after receiving legislative backing from the Senate.

n

Despite the Federal Government’s ban, PUNCH Healthwise reported in July 2026 that NAFDAC had uncovered the illegal production of banned alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.

n

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the enforcement was in line with the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation, distribution, sale and use of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 200ml.

n

Adeyeye warned manufacturers to comply with the Federal Government’s directive and mop up products still being sold on the streets before it was too late.

n

She told them not to behave as though the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml in Nigeria was an abrupt decision.

n

She sternly warned manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and other stakeholders to immediately surrender all remaining stocks of the banned products.

n

“As part of the undertaking, affected manufacturers are required to immediately commence a nationwide recall of all alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from distributors, warehouses and other points within the supply chain and submit periodic compliance reports to NAFDAC.

n

“NAFDAC has also imposed investigative charges on defaulting companies found to have violated regulatory directives relating to the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages in prohibited package sizes.

n

“The affected companies are required to settle the applicable charges within the stipulated period and comply fully with all regulatory directives issued by the Agency,” Adeyeye said.

n

She also stressed that all recalled alcoholic products would be subjected to inventory verification and destruction under NAFDAC’s supervision in accordance with the terms of the enforcement undertaking.

n

Adeyeye vowed that defaulting manufacturers would bear the full cost of such destruction exercises.

n

“Furthermore, before any sealed facility involved in the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets or PET bottles below 200ml can be reopened, NAFDAC will require satisfactory evidence that the production lines used for the prohibited package sizes have been dismantled, permanently disabled or reconfigured to prevent the manufacture and packaging of alcoholic products in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.

n

“Such dismantling or reconfiguration shall be carried out under the direct supervision and verification of NAFDAC officers.

n

“The reopening and continued operation of any facility shall be subject to full compliance with the nationwide recall directive; payment of all applicable investigative charges and regulatory fees; and successful destruction of recalled products under NAFDAC supervision,” the NAFDAC boss warned.

n

She noted that NAFDAC would carry out verification of the dismantling, reconfiguration or decommissioning of equipment used for prohibited package sizes.

n

Before reopening any closed facility, the NAFDAC DG warned that the agency would conduct an inspection and certification to ensure that the facility complied with all regulatory requirements.

n

She warned, “Companies that fail to comply with the terms of the undertaking risk severe regulatory sanctions, including continued closure of facilities, placement on NAFDAC’s Regulatory Watchlist, suspension or revocation of product registrations, criminal prosecution where applicable, and other measures permitted by law.”

n

However, some distillers have protested the Federal Government’s crackdown on sachet alcohol, warning that the ban could render some Nigerians jobless.

n

Adeyeye reminded the manufacturers that the objective of the ban was to reduce underage drinking, alcohol abuse and easy access to highly concentrated alcoholic beverages.

n

“The full enforcement was backed by independent research that underscored the devastating effect of underage drinking and revealed that 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of the underage procure drinks in sachets, while 41.2 per cent of minors and 47.2 per cent of the underage procure drinks in PET bottles,” she said.

n

The NAFDAC DG noted that during the second-tier nationwide mop-up operations across markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres in July 2026, the agency found banned pack sizes were still at distribution centres.

n

This, she said, led to the closure of factories and the arrest of staff of companies still found producing sachet alcohol.

n

According to her, the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria and the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers were required by NAFDAC to sign Irrevocable Enforcement Undertakings on behalf of their members, committing them to desist from manufacturing alcohol in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml before their facilities could be reopened.

n

The NAFDAC boss stated that the journey towards banning alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles began in 2018 and has evolved over several years through consultations between regulators, manufacturers and government agencies.

n

She disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between NAFDAC and the manufacturers in December 2018 on phasing out alcohol in sachets and small-volume containers.

n

“The agreement provided a five-year moratorium for manufacturers to gradually phase out alcohol in sachets and small-volume containers.

n

“The industry was given until 31 January 2024 to reconfigure production lines, shift to larger packaging formats and phase out sachet alcohol and small bottles. Planned enforcement began in February 2024.

n

“When the five-year period expired in January 2024, NAFDAC began enforcement of the phase-out in line with its regulatory mandate. However, the move met resistance from industry stakeholders and attracted intervention from the National Assembly,” Adeyeye said.

n

After lobbying, the NAFDAC DG said the Federal Government granted the manufacturers an additional extension, from 2024 to December 2025, to comply with the directive.

n

“The moratorium was extended until 31 December 2025, allowing manufacturers and distributors more time to adjust and dispose of existing stock.

n

“During this period, production of sachet alcohol was expected to wind down. Stakeholders were expected to transition to larger pack sizes.

n

“Public awareness campaigns intensified regarding underage drinking and alcohol abuse.

n

“The ban officially took effect on 1 January 2026,” Adeyeye explained.

n

She urged members of the public to support the operation by avoiding the purchase of banned alcoholic beverages and reporting anyone producing, distributing or selling them.

n

The NAFDAC boss also advised members of the public to report offenders to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its dedicated hotline.

n

She noted that NAFDAC remained committed to protecting public health and reducing harmful alcohol consumption, particularly among vulnerable populations, including children and young people.

n

“The Agency will continue to work with industry stakeholders while ensuring strict compliance with regulatory directives designed to safeguard the health and well-being of Nigerians,” she added.

n n