The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has called on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of alcoholic beverages to comply with the ban on alcohol sold in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. She emphasized the need for adherence to regulatory measures during a News Forum held in Abuja on Sunday.
Ban on Alcohol in PET Bottles
Prof. Adeyeye reiterated that the ban on alcohol in PET bottles, enacted through a ministerial directive, remains in effect. She urged distributors and retailers to desist from selling and distributing the banned products. She also recalled the agreement signed by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in 2018, which outlined a phased withdrawal process for these products from the market.
“The agreement has reached its final phase, and there should no longer be any trace of these products in the market,” Prof. Adeyeye stated.
Implementation and Compliance
Since 2018, NAFDAC has ceased registering and renewing licenses for the production and sale of sachet and PET bottle alcohol. This decision was aimed at giving manufacturers ample time to exhaust existing stocks and halt production.
To ensure compliance, the agency has conducted extensive enlightenment campaigns and engaged stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Prof. Adeyeye stressed that ignorance of the ban is no excuse, as adequate time and resources were devoted to awareness creation.
Concerns Over Alcohol Accessibility
The NAFDAC DG expressed particular concern about the easy accessibility of alcohol in sachet form, which is often sold at low prices. She highlighted the dangers this poses to teenagers and youths, who are among the primary consumers of these products.
“The sachet size and affordability make alcohol accessible to younger demographics, but the potential impact on their health and societal behavior can be devastating,” she warned.
NAFDAC’s Regulatory Commitment
Prof. Adeyeye reiterated the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health through strict regulatory measures. She emphasized that the agency will not relent in its efforts to enforce the ban and warned that violators would face severe consequences.
“Our goal is to protect public health and ensure that products in circulation meet the highest safety standards. Compliance with this ban is non-negotiable,” she stated.
Way Forward
NAFDAC continues to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that the ban is fully implemented and that alternative packaging options are explored for alcoholic beverages. The agency also plans to intensify its market surveillance activities to identify and penalize non-compliance.
This call to action underscores NAFDAC’s dedication to reducing alcohol abuse and its associated risks, particularly among vulnerable populations, while promoting a healthier society.
