We Wont Back Down On The Ban On Sachet Alcohol – NAFDAC
Despite protests, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has insisted on the ban of the importation, manufacturing, distribution, sale, and use of alcohol in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.
Recall that the Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, had on January 31, 2024, said that the Agency would begin the enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets.
Speaking on Monday, February 12, on possible review of the ban, the Head of Public Relations Office, NAFDAC, Christiana Obiazikwor, said though most people are complaining of losing business and jobs, the ban will remain effective as it would save lives of so many Nigerians.
Obiazikwor clarified that NAFDAC did not ban alcohol production in bigger bottles but alcohol in containers or packing that a child can easily conceal.
She said;
“The alcoholic content in sachet or PET bottles less than 200ml is 30 per cent. Beer has four to eight per cent alcohol. The Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers, and Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health and NAFDAC in December 2018 that they will phase out production of alcohol in sachet and PET bottles less than 200 ml by January 31, 2024. The agreement document is available. A five-year phase-out notice should be sufficient.
“They say it’s going to lead to loss of jobs, but it can lead to loss of lives as well. So, which is more important? We are not going back (on the ban). We are doing this to save the lives of Nigerians, and commuters.
“The schoolchildren buy it and put it in their bags, so we are doing it to protect the children because they can’t take responsibility for themselves; so the leaders and adults need to take responsibility for them. Are we going to kill our children because the economy is bad?” .
