The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed reports suggesting that the Federal Government ordered a suspension of the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages in PET bottles under 200ml, calling them false and misleading.
In a press release issued on Thursday morning, signed by the Director-General/CEO of NAFDAC, the agency clarified that no such directive had been received and reaffirmed that the ban remains fully in effect.
NAFDAC described the circulating publication as inaccurate and not reflective of any official government communication, reiterating that it operates strictly within its statutory mandate and in line with duly communicated federal policies.
“At no time has the Agency received any directive to suspend its regulatory or enforcement activities regarding sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic beverages,” the statement read.
The agency disclosed that it has commenced the evacuation of violative sachet alcohol products and alcoholic drinks in PET bottles below 200ml from manufacturing companies, as part of ongoing enforcement efforts.
Some manufacturers, according to the NAFDAC have already begun complying with the policy by halting production of the smaller pack sizes, having acknowledged that the measure is aimed at curbing minors’ easy access to alcohol.
The agency had earlier reported that roughly 50 percent of minors and underage individuals purchase alcohol from outlets selling sachets and small PET bottles, citing this data as the rationale for its regulatory action.