Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has urged manufacturers and distributors to comply with the ban on alcohol in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.
Speaking during a session at the NAN Forum in Abuja on Sunday, Adeyeye reiterated the ban and the agreement signed by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria.
In 2018, the sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 200ml was banned in Nigeria.
Manufacturers were subsequently given a phased timeline to halt the production and distribution of the products.
Adeyeye said the agreement has reached its final phase, adding that the goal is to completely eliminate the products from the market.
She said NAFDAC has conducted extensive enlightenment campaigns and stakeholder engagements to ensure adherence to the ban.
Adeyeye expressed concern over the easy accessibility of alcohol to teenagers and youths, saying the affordability and small packaging of sachets contribute to widespread misuse, with potentially devastating consequences.
She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health by enforcing strict regulatory measures.
On Friday, the agency carried out a mop-up of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles at Abuja’s Wuse Market.
NAFDAC said products worth over ₦52 million were seized during the operation.