NAFDAC shuts three Ogun factories for violating sachet alcohol ban
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down three alcohol manufacturing companies in Ota, Ogun state, for violating the federal government’s ban on production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and miniature PET bottles.
In January, NAFDAC said its enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles was aimed at protecting children and young people, not punishing manufacturers.
Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC director-general, said in a statement that the policy was driven by public health concerns and growing evidence that alcohol packaged in sachets and containers below 200 millilitres has contributed to underage drinking across the country.
On Wednesday, NAFDAC commenced a nationwide mop-up operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from circulation.
In a recent update, a statement by NAFDAC said Kunle Ojo, assistant director of investigation and enforcement directorate, led the sting operation.
The agency said its team uncovered several violations across the affected factories during the exercise.
NAFDAC said its officials inspected the first facility (name withheld) last Friday, and found sachet alcohol in active production alongside large quantities of PET bottles.
“The factory was initially put on hold. However, during a follow-up visit, officials discovered that the sachet products had been secretly removed from the premises,” the statement reads.
“NAFDAC has flagged this as a serious violation, as the products were already under regulatory enforcement.”
The agency added that its enforcement team caught a second company continuing the production of sachet alcoholic beverages. “The premises were immediately sealed.” the agency said.
On the third company, the agency had placed on hold 22 production machines since January.
NAFDAC said its officials discovered that the company had broken the seals on the machines, putting them back into operation to continue producing sachet alcoholic drinks.
