The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide enforcement operation aimed at removing banned alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres from circulation.
The agency said the aggressive enforcement exercise is being conducted across the country in line with the Federal Government’s directive prohibiting the production of the affected alcoholic beverages.
As part of the operation, NAFDAC enforcement personnel have been deployed to markets, motor parks, retail outlets and other points of sale nationwide to identify, seize and remove the prohibited products from circulation.
The agency warned manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers against continuing to produce, import, distribute or sell the banned alcoholic beverages, stressing that violators would face regulatory sanctions in accordance with the law.
NAFDAC urged all stakeholders in the alcoholic beverage sector to comply fully with the Federal Government’s directive and immediately withdraw any prohibited products still in their possession.
The agency also called on members of the public to play an active role in the enforcement exercise by reporting any individual, company or business outlet found producing or selling the banned alcoholic beverages.
According to NAFDAC, members of the public can report suspected offenders to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate investigation and enforcement action.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of Nigerians, stating that the nationwide operation is part of its continued efforts to ensure compliance with government regulations and prevent the circulation of products considered harmful to public health.
NAFDAC warned that the enforcement operation would be sustained nationwide, urging manufacturers, importers and retailers to take the Federal Government’s directive seriously and avoid actions that could attract sanctions.
