By Nkechi Eze
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly debunked reports circulating in sections of the media alleging that the Federal Government has directed the Agency to suspend enforcement actions against sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres.
In an official signed statement, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the publication as “false and misleading,” stressing that it does not reflect any official communication from the Federal Government. She stated unequivocally that no directive has been issued to the Agency to halt its regulatory activities in that regard.
According to Prof. Adeyeye, NAFDAC continues to operate strictly within its statutory mandate and in alignment with duly communicated Federal Government 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 ban remains in force,” she affirmed.
Reiterating its commitment to the enforcement of the policy, the Agency disclosed that it has commenced the evacuation of violative sachet alcohol products and alcoholic drinks packaged in PET bottles below 200ml from manufacturing companies. The move, she explained, forms part of ongoing regulatory measures aimed at curbing underage access to alcohol and promoting public health.
NAFDAC further observed that some manufacturers, having acknowledged that the primary objective of the policy is to protect children from easy access to alcohol, have begun desisting from the production of smaller pack sizes. The Agency recalled earlier reports indicating that about 50 per cent of minors and underage persons patronise retailers selling alcohol in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, a trend it considers alarming and unacceptable.
The Director-General emphasised that the Agency remains steadfast in safeguarding public health, ensuring regulatory compliance, and implementing government policies transparently and in accordance with due process. She noted that any decision affecting national regulatory actions would be communicated through official government channels.
NAFDAC also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of generating misinformation, fake news, and misinterpretation of government policy. The Agency urged the public, industry stakeholders, and members of the media to rely solely on verified information published through its official platforms.
With this clarification, NAFDAC has reaffirmed its resolve to sustain enforcement actions and uphold regulatory standards in the interest of protecting vulnerable populations and promoting responsible alcohol control measures nationwide.
