NAFDAC Commences Nationwide Enforcement of Sachet Alcohol Ban
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched nationwide enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.
The move follows a directive by the Nigerian Senate, which had instructed NAFDAC to halt the nationwide production of sachet and small-sized alcoholic drinks by December 2025. The directive stemmed from a motion sponsored by Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River South, who said the measure aligns with global regulatory standards and international best practices aimed at curbing alcohol-related harm.
In response, NAFDAC announced plans to fully enforce the ban by December 2025. The decision, however, drew criticism from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and several civil society groups, who warned that the policy could result in the loss of millions of jobs and cost the economy trillions of naira.
Despite the concerns, NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency has commenced enforcement following fresh authorisation from the Senate. Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, Adeyeye said the action is driven by public health considerations, particularly the need to protect vulnerable populations.
She noted that the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers has made them cheap, easily accessible, and easy to conceal. According to her, this has increased the risk of misuse, especially among children and young people.
“NAFDAC is not against alcohol consumption,” Adeyeye said. “Our concern is the proliferation of high-concentration alcohol in sachets and small bottles, which makes these products easily accessible to children.”
She disclosed that some sachet alcohol products were found to contain alcohol levels ranging from 50 to 90 percent, describing such concentrations as dangerous to public health. Although manufacturers were previously instructed to reduce alcohol content to a maximum of 30 percent, Adeyeye said many failed to comply, citing fears of job losses and negative impacts on investment.
