NAFDAC Declares War on Sachet Alcohol, Orders Recall, Threatens Shutdown

• NAFDAC has commenced full enforcement of the Federal Government’s ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET/plastic bottles below 200ml, ending the transition period granted to manufacturers.

• The regulator has ordered manufacturers found violating the ban to recall prohibited products nationwide, with recalled stock to be inventoried and destroyed at the manufacturers’ expense.

• Affected factories will remain shut until NAFDAC verifies that production lines used for the banned pack sizes have been dismantled, permanently disabled or reconfigured.

  Defaulters risk continued closure, suspension or revocation of product registrations, placement on NAFDAC’s Regulatory Watchlist and other regulatory or legal sanctions.

August 24, () — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has declared full enforcement of the Federal Government’s ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET/plastic bottles below 200 millilitres, ordering manufacturers to recall prohibited products and warning defaulters of possible shutdown and licence revocation.

The agency said the enforcement followed the expiration of the transition periods agreed with manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to enable businesses to adjust their production lines and move away from the prohibited packaging.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the agency had concluded extensive consultations with government agencies and industry groups, including the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) and the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE).

The prohibition dates back to concerns raised in 2018 over the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content beverages in small, inexpensive and easily concealed packages.

According to NAFDAC, manufacturers were initially given a five-year moratorium under a December 2018 Memorandum of Understanding to allow them to reconfigure their production lines and transition to larger pack sizes.

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

The ban consequently took effect from January 1, 2026, after which NAFDAC began phased enforcement, initially targeting manufacturers before expanding operations to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres nationwide.

The agency said the latest move represents the commencement of full enforcement following the expiration of the agreed transition periods.

Defaulters Ordered To Recall Products

Under the ongoing enforcement exercise, manufacturers found producing or dealing in prohibited pack sizes are required to sign Irrevocable Enforcement Undertakings through DIBAN and AFBTE.

They are also required to commence nationwide recalls of the banned products and submit periodic compliance reports to NAFDAC.

The regulator said all recalled products would be properly inventoried and destroyed under its supervision, with the affected manufacturers bearing the cost.

The directive means manufacturers still holding or circulating sachet alcoholic drinks and PET/plastic bottles below 200ml will have to withdraw such products from the market or risk further enforcement action.

NAFDAC warned that affected facilities would not automatically be allowed to resume operations after recalling their products.

It said any affected facility must first undergo regulatory verification to confirm the dismantling, permanent disabling, or reconfiguration of production lines used to manufacture the prohibited pack sizes.

The agency will also assess the company’s compliance with other regulatory requirements before approving any reopening.

NAFDAC warned that companies that fail to meet the requirements could face continued closure.

Other sanctions include placement on the agency’s Regulatory Watchlist, suspension or revocation of product registrations, investigative charges and other regulatory or legal penalties.

NAFDAC: Ban Is Public Health Measure

The agency said the enforcement was primarily aimed at addressing public health concerns associated with the accessibility of high-alcohol-content products, particularly among children and young persons.

NAFDAC maintained that the small size, low cost, and easy concealment of sachet and other small-pack alcoholic beverages had raised concerns about their accessibility and potential contribution to alcohol-related harm.

The regulator said it remained willing to work with compliant industry stakeholders but would insist on strict adherence to the ban.

The agency urged manufacturers and other businesses affected by the policy to comply fully with the requirements rather than continue producing, distributing or selling the prohibited products.

NAFDAC also appealed to members of the public to report the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets or PET/plastic bottles below 200ml.

The agency said reports could be made through its official communication channels or at the nearest NAFDAC office.