NAFDAC seizes ₦52m worth of alcoholic products in Abuja

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the withdrawal and mop-up of banned sachet alcoholic beverages and pet bottles smaller than 200ml in Abuja.

The announcement was made on the agency’s ‘X’ page while also announcing that over ₦52M worth of products have been seized in Wuse market in the process.

NAFDAC banned the products back in February, with the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, making the announcement in a press conference held on Monday, February 5, 2024, in Abuja.

Prof. Adeyeye said the decision to ban sachet alcohol was driven by compelling health and environmental reasons.

She emphasised that the agency had given manufacturers a window period to sell off their existing stock of alcoholic drinks in sachets, which expired on January 31, 2024.

Following the expiration of this grace period, NAFDAC commenced nationwide enforcement actions on February 1, 2024, to ensure compliance with the new policy.

“This situation is, of course, not acceptable, and the agency views this as flagrant disobedience to the laws of Nigeria. NAFDAC views this matter seriously and will engage all statutory means, which may include prosecution, to deal with the matter.

“I want to use this medium to ask all holders of alcohol in sachets, PET and glass bottles, empty sachets, PET bottles, empty glass bottles, and other packaging materials of these banned products to immediately report to the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC for hand-over of same to NAFDAC for destruction,” she said.

READ ALSO:Reps direct NAFDAC to lift ban on sachet alcohol

NAFDAC also maintained that it gave producers enough time to stop the production of such sachet alcoholic drinks, to avoid loss in businesses.

“Manufacturers were given a phased timeline to halt the production and distribution of these products, culminating in this total enforcement phase,” the agency said on its ‘X’ page.

The agency believes that the emergence of alcoholic drinks dispensed in sachets is a growing environmental hazard, joining items like styrofoam packs and single-use plastics in polluting the environment and blocking drainage channels.

NAFDAC also urged the public to desist from buying or consuming products in sachets and that they pose a health risk to consumers.

“The public is also advised to avoid purchasing these products, as they pose significant health risks, particularly to children. Violators will face strict penalties as outlined in the Agency’s regulations” the agency said.