NAFDAC to enforce total ban on alcohol sachets, small bottles from Dec

By Grace Edet

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to fully enforce the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles below 200ml by December 2025.

The agency, in a statement via its official X handle, said, the decision is in compliance with the directive of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and aims to protect public health, particularly among children, adolescents, and young adults, from the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

According to NAFDAC, the measure, supported by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, aligns with its mandate to safeguard Nigerians from misuse and addiction associated with high-alcohol-content drinks sold in sachets and small bottles. The agency linked these products to various social and health challenges, including domestic violence, road accidents, and school dropouts.

Providing background to the policy, the agency recalled that in 2018, it signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) to phase out the sale of alcohol in sachets and small bottles by January 2024.

The deadline, the agency said, was later extended to December 2025 to enable manufacturers to deplete existing stock and adjust production lines.

Emphasising the intent behind the policy, NAFDAC noted, “This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth. The decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. We cannot continue to sacrifice the wellbeing of Nigerians for short-term economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth.”

The agency clarified that the ban specifically targets spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small-volume bottles below 200ml, urging all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply fully, as no further extension will be granted beyond December 2025.

NAFDAC also assured continued collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify public sensitisation campaigns on the health and social dangers of alcohol misuse.

Reiterating the agency’s stance, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stressed that the enforcement is essential to protecting to country’s future generations.