NAFDAC uncovers illegal sachet alcohol production, vows crackdown on defiant manufacturers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has uncovered widespread violations of the Federal Government’s ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres.

The agency disclosed that some manufacturers continued production, relocated operations to unregistered facilities and assaulted enforcement officers during nationwide enforcement operations.

Speaking during a media briefing on the agency’s ongoing nationwide mop-up exercise, on Tuesday, in Lagos, Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general of NAFDAC, said enforcement teams conducting raids across Lagos, Ogun and several other states discovered that some manufacturers were still producing the banned products months after the prohibition took effect.

According to Adeyeye, investigations revealed that some factories whose products were traced to markets had continued production despite repeated regulatory engagements and the expiration of the moratorium granted by the Federal Government.

“In multiple cases, those factories were found to be still actively producing in direct violation of the ban. These were not leftover stock,” she said.

She disclosed that enforcement officers recovered banned 100ml PET bottles and rolls of sachet alcohol packaging materials bearing production dates as recent as July 23, 2026, indicating that illegal production continued even after the ban became fully enforceable.

“This is not a misunderstanding. This is deliberate, calculated defiance of federal regulation,” Adeyeye said.

She stated that some manufacturers attempted to evade enforcement by relocating production equipment to unregistered facilities and removing company signboards from their premises to conceal their identities from regulators.

“In several cases, manufacturers relocated their production machines to unregistered premises to continue production underground, out of regulatory sight,” she said.

The development comes days after NAFDAC announced the commencement of nationwide enforcement against alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, saying the products contribute to underage drinking, alcohol abuse and addiction because they are inexpensive, portable and easily accessible to children and adolescents.

The ban, which followed Senate resolutions and the implementation of the National Alcohol Policy, prohibits the production, importation, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles.

Adeyeye said the latest enforcement exercise targeted the entire supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors and retailers, warning that continued production or sale of the banned products would attract sanctions.

She also condemned attacks on enforcement officers during the operation, revealing that one officer was nearly stabbed while another was physically assaulted while carrying out official duties.

“An attack on a NAFDAC officer carrying out lawful regulatory duty is an attack on the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said, adding that those responsible would be investigated and prosecuted.

According to her, manufacturers found violating the regulation will have their facilities shut down, while banned products recovered from the market will be seized and destroyed.

She reiterated that the agency would continue nationwide enforcement until the banned alcoholic products are completely removed from circulation.

“The ban on sub-200ml sachet and PET-bottle alcohol is not negotiable,” Adeyeye said.

She urged Nigerians not to purchase the affected products and encouraged members of the public to report manufacturers, distributors or retailers still involved in producing or selling the banned alcoholic beverages.