The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has banned the registration of alcohol drinks in sachets, small volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml.
A statement signed by the agency’s Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, on the ban indicated that “the registration of new alcoholic drinks in sachets and small volume PET and glass bottles above 30 per cent ABV (alcohol by volume) has been banned by NAFDAC.
Adeyeye stated that the decision followed the recommendation of a high powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC as well as Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
She further clarified that the move was “also as a result of the support from various Industry represented by Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in December, 2018.
“The agency will ensure that validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category will not exceed year 2024”, the NAFDAC Director General assured
Adeyeye explained that manufacturers of low volume alcohol beverages (200ml) with satisfactory laboratory reports, which were already submitted to NAFDAC for registration before this decision, had been directed to reformulate their products at stipulated standard.
According to her, DIBAN has also been directed to embark on intensive nationwide sensitization campaign against underage consumption of alcohol by adolescents below the age of 18 years in a bid to stem the tide of alcohol abuse in the country.
She explained that the producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume agreed to reduce production by 50% with effect from Jan. 31, 2022 while ensuring the products are completely phased out in the country by Jan. 31, 2024.
Adeyeye maintained: “Even as we grapple with the containment of COVID-19 pandemic, NAFDAC is resolutely committed to the strict implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the Health of Nigerians.
“This move is particularly targeted to the vulnerable youths against the dangers of reckless consumption of Alcohol”, the NAFDAC boss added.
