NAFDAC cracks down on sachet alcohol, threatens defaulters with sanctions

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has directed manufacturers of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and plastic bottles below 200ml to recall and destroy the affected products.

NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, explaining that the directive followed the expiration of the transition period granted to manufacturers to comply with the Federal Government’s ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in the prohibited pack sizes.

The ban came into effect on January 1, 2026, following concerns about the easy availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in small, affordable and easily concealed packages.

NAFDAC said manufacturers affected by the ban are expected to ensure that the prohibited products are withdrawn from circulation and destroyed in line with the directive.

Adeyeye said manufacturers found violating the ban must commence nationwide recalls of the affected products and submit periodic compliance reports to NAFDAC.

She said the recalled products would be inventoried and destroyed under the agency’s supervision, with manufacturers bearing the cost.

NAFDAC said it has commenced phased enforcement of the ban, beginning with manufacturers and extending to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres nationwide.

The agency said affected manufacturers would also be required to sign irrevocable enforcement undertakings through the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) and the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE).

Adeyeye noted that facilities found producing the prohibited products would remain closed until NAFDAC verifies that the relevant production lines have been dismantled, permanently disabled or reconfigured.

She warned that defaulting manufacturers could face continued closure, placement on NAFDAC’s regulatory watchlist, suspension or revocation of product registrations and other regulatory or legal sanctions.

“If you are a manufacturer of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles less than 200ml and we find your product in the market, you will be fined heavily,” the statement reads.

“And the manufacturing facility will be closed down permanently. We will use POCA, Proceeds of Crime Law, to deal with such manufacturing.”

Adeyeye said industry groups had indicated their readiness to comply with the ban, adding that manufacturers had previously proposed reconfiguring their production lines to meet the new requirements.

Manufacturers were initially given a five-year moratorium under a December 2018 memorandum of understanding to reconfigure their production lines and transition to larger pack sizes.

Following further consultations with stakeholders, the deadline was extended to December 31, 2025.

NAFDAC said the enforcement is aimed at reducing the accessibility of high-alcohol-content products to children and young people and curbing alcohol-related harm.

The agency urged members of the public to report the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets or PET/plastic bottles below 200ml to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its official communication channels.

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