BREAKING: FG Bans Alcoholic Beverages In Small Sachets

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has announced a ban on alcoholic beverages produced in sachets and pet bottles less than 200ml.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), a federal government regulatory agency, relayed this significant development, disclosing that manufacturers were given a five-year window, beginning in 2019 and ending on January 1, 2024.

Addressing the press in Abuja on Monday, February 5, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the director-general of NAFDAC, clarified that the enforcement of the ban commenced on February 1, 2024. She emphasized that the decision was not impulsive but the outcome of a multilateral committee that determined a phased approach, aiming for a 50% reduction in production by 2020 and a complete ban by January 31, 2024.

Adeyeye explained that NAFDAC refrained from renewing licenses beyond January 2024 for companies producing drinks in sachets, citing the negative impact on underage children. The pocket-friendly sizes of these alcoholic beverages made them accessible and affordable to children, leading to adverse consequences in the future.

She expressed disappointment that certain companies continued producing these alcoholic drinks below 200ml despite the explicit directive issued after a meeting in 2018. The expectation was for them to cease production of such drinks in sachets and pet bottles and transition to producing alcohol above 200ml.

In another development, NAFDAC issued a public alert concerning a falsified brand of Chloroquine Phosphate tablets discovered in Jos, Plateau State. Despite bearing the NAFDAC registration number 04-8769, the product is not registered by NAFDAC and does not appear in the database of registered products. The agency has swiftly initiated actions to detect and remove this substandard product from circulation, directing state offices to conduct surveillance and recall all batches.

Importers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare providers are urged to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain. NAFDAC emphasizes the importance of sourcing medicinal products from authorized and licensed suppliers, conducting thorough authenticity checks, and discontinuing the sale or use of the substandard product. The agency encourages prompt reporting of suspicions regarding substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office and seeks immediate medical advice for those who may have used the mentioned product and experienced adverse reactions. The collective effort is crucial in upholding public health and safety in Nigeria.

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