LAGOS – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has seized alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 200ml during a recent enforcement operation in Delta State.
Speaking after the raid recently, NAFDAC’s Deputy Director and State Coordinator, Jude Ndekile, emphasised that the sale of such products remains illegal.
“The Federal Government, in partnership with NAFDAC and the Federal Ministry of Health, issued a directive in 2018 to prohibit the production of alcoholic beverages below 200ml in sachets and PET bottles,” Ndekile explained.
The directive, aimed at curbing easy access to alcohol by minors, allowed manufacturers a five-year grace period to phase out these products by December 2023.
Despite continuous awareness campaigns and engagement with stakeholders, Ndekile expressed disappointment at the increasing prevalence of these banned beverages in the market.
“These sachet and PET bottle alcoholic drinks below 200ml are widely available, making it easy for children to purchase them,” he said.
“This raises significant concerns about alcohol abuse among minors, as early exposure to alcohol fosters independence in children.”
The enforcement operation targeted markets and motor parks, where such products are easily accessible to transporters. The team visited the Asaba Ogbeogonogo Modern Market and Midwifery Market in Okpanam, confiscating popular products like Orijin Bitters, Action Bitters, Odogwu Bitters, Squadron, and Eagle Aromatic Schnapps.
Ndekile urged distributors and wholesalers to stop selling the banned items and called on manufacturers to comply with the agency’s directive.
“Manufacturers must adhere to NAFDAC’s instruction to discontinue the production of sachets and PET bottles below 200ml,” he said.
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