The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has dismissed as false a report alleging that the Federal Government of Nigeria ordered it to suspend enforcement actions against sachet alcohol and alcoholic products packaged in 200ml PET bottles.
In an official statement issued Wednesday, the agency’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, clarified that no such directive had been communicated to the regulator through any formal or authorised channel. She emphasised that the publication circulating the claim was misleading and did not reflect the government’s position.
“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 statement said, reaffirming that its operations remain guided strictly by established public health regulations and statutory mandates.
NAFDAC disclosed that it has already commenced the evacuation of what it described as “violative sachet alcohol and alcohol in PET bottles less than 200ml” from various manufacturers. According to the agency, some companies have voluntarily begun discontinuing production of smaller-sized alcohol packaging after recognising that the policy is intended to curb underage access to alcoholic beverages.
The regulator cited data indicating that approximately 50 percent of minors reportedly purchase alcohol from retailers selling products in sachets and small PET bottles, a trend it described as alarming and harmful to public health objectives. It stressed that its intervention is primarily aimed at protecting children and reducing youth exposure to alcohol.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding public health, NAFDAC stated that any policy decision affecting national regulatory actions would always be communicated through official government channels. It urged members of the public, industry stakeholders and the media to disregard unverified reports and rely solely on information released via its authorised platforms.
The agency also cautioned against spreading unconfirmed claims capable of generating misinformation, fake news and public misunderstanding of government policy, noting that accurate communication remains essential to maintaining trust in national health regulations in Nigeria.
