The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a nationwide enforcement operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles smaller than 200 millilitres from the market.
The exercise is in compliance with the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation, distribution, sale and consumption of the affected products.
In a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, the agency said the operation is being carried out simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones following the shutdown of manufacturing facilities that failed to comply with the directive.
According to NAFDAC, enforcement teams have been deployed to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and other distribution centres to identify, confiscate and remove the prohibited alcoholic beverages from circulation.
The agency directed manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and other stakeholders to immediately hand over any remaining stock of the banned products.
It warned that anyone found in possession of, distributing or selling the prohibited alcoholic drinks would be violating the law and could face regulatory sanctions, seizure of products and prosecution.
NAFDAC said the nationwide exercise is aimed at tackling underage drinking, reducing harmful alcohol consumption and addressing substance abuse, especially among children and young people.
The agency also appealed to members of the public to support the enforcement exercise by avoiding the purchase of the banned products and reporting anyone involved in their production, distribution or sale to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its official reporting channels.
