The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced a ban on the registration of alcohol in sachet, small volume PET and glass bottles below 200 millilitres and above 30 per cent ABV (alcohol by volume).

The Director-General of the agency, Mojisola  Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement issued by the agency on Monday.

“Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria was also given a matching order to embark on intensive nationwide sensitisation campaigns against underage consumption of alcohol by adolescents below the age of 18 years in the bid to stem the tide of alcohol abuse in the country,” Ms Adeyeye said.

She continued: “Producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume agreed to reduce production by 50 per cent with effect from January 31st, 2022 while ensuring the products are completely phased out in the country by 31st January 2024.”

Ms Adeyeye added that the ban follows the recommendation of a committee made up of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in December 2018.

She also added that the Agency will ensure that the validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category will not exceed the year 2024, noting that manufacturers of low volume alcohol beverages with satisfactory laboratory reports have been directed to reformulate their products to stipulated standards without charges.

In 2020, the agency had voiced concerns over the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small volume glass and PET bottles as well as the negative effects of irresponsible alcohol consumption on public health and security.