BREAKING; Federal Govt bans production, sales of alcoholic drinks inside satchels, bottles

BREAKING; Federal Govt bans production, sales of alcohol drinks inside satchels, bottles

The Federal Government has announced a complete ban on the production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres, a move aimed at curbing alcohol abuse and protecting public health.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) confirmed that full enforcement of the policy will take effect on January 1, 2026.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the disclosure on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja.

She also revealed that the Federal Government has approved the recruitment of 1,000 additional officers beginning in December to strengthen the agency’s enforcement and regulatory capacity.

According to Adeyeye, the ban was informed by a Senate resolution and a directive from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, both of which reinforce NAFDAC’s mandate to safeguard the health of Nigerians especially minors, adolescents, and young adults against the harmful effects of alcohol misuse.

“This decisive action underscores our duty to protect Nigerians from the health and social hazards of unregulated alcohol consumption.

Alcohol in sachets and small bottles is cheap, accessible, and easily concealable, making it a major driver of misuse and addiction, especially among minors and commercial drivers,” she said.

Adeyeye explained that the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content drinks in small packages had become a public health and national security concern, noting that early alcohol exposure among youths often leads to substance abuse, domestic violence, road accidents, and other social vices.

“This public health menace is associated with increased domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices,” she warned, adding that the policy was “protective, not punitive,” and based on scientific evidence and global best practices.

“Our decision is to protect the health and future of Nigerian youths.

“We cannot continue to trade national well-being for short-term economic benefits.

“The health of our people is the true wealth of the nation,” she emphasised.

Clarifying the scope of the regulation, Adeyeye noted that it targets spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200ml, not all alcoholic beverages.

She recalled that in December 2018, NAFDAC, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with industry groups, the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) to phase out such packaging by January 2024.

The timeline was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers to adjust production.

Adeyeye said the Senate’s recent resolution aligns with that agreement and Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol (WHA63.13, 2010).

She urged manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply fully with the December 2025 deadline, stressing that no further extension will be granted.

On enforcement, Adeyeye said NAFDAC will continue collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health, FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify nationwide public education on the health and social risks of alcohol misuse.

“This is a shared responsibility,” she said. “We must act collectively to protect the health, safety, and future of our nation.”