No FG directive to stop sachet alcohol enforcement, says NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed reports claiming that the federal government directed it to suspend enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol.

The agency recently announced that it had begun enforcing the prohibition on the production and sale of alcohol packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles across Nigeria.

However, social media reports on Wednesday suggested that the federal government had instructed NAFDAC to halt the ban’s implementation.

In a statement signed by Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, the agency described the reports as “false” and “misleading,” emphasizing that it had received no such directive from the federal government.

“NAFDAC operates strictly within the ambit of its statutory mandate and in alignment with duly communicated Federal Government policies and directives,” the statement read.

“At no time has the Agency received any formal directive ordering the suspension of its regulatory or enforcement activities in respect of sachet alcohol products.”

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to public health protection and regulatory compliance, noting that any major decisions affecting national enforcement actions would be formally communicated through official government channels.

NAFDAC also urged the public, media, and industry stakeholders to disregard the false reports and rely only on verified information from the agency’s official platforms or authorized government communications.

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The statement further cautioned against the spread of unverified information, warning that it could cause public anxiety, economic uncertainty, or misinterpretation of government policy.

“NAFDAC remains steadfast in its commitment to public health, economic stability, and the national interest,” the agency concluded.

Public health experts say the ban on sachet alcohol is critical in addressing unregulated alcohol consumption, which has been linked to health risks including alcohol poisoning and long-term liver damage.

Dr. Akinlolu Adesanya, a toxicologist, noted: “NAFDAC’s enforcement of the ban is consistent with global best practices. Suspending enforcement based on unverified reports could undermine public health efforts and encourage the continued sale of dangerous, unregulated products.”