NAFDAC-bans-alcoholic-beverages
Ola Wale
NAFDAC has been enforcing a ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET bottles below 200ml, sparking controversy among manufacturers and stakeholders. The agency argues that the ban aims to protect children, adolescents, and vulnerable groups from the harmful effects of alcohol misuse, citing increased accessibility and affordability of high-alcohol-content beverages in small containers .
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed concerns that the ban will hurt the economy and lead to job losses, while NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye maintains that the decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. Adeyeye emphasizes that the ban is not punitive but protective, aiming to safeguard the health and future of Nigerian children and youth .
The controversy has led to protests by stakeholders, including the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), who argue that the ban will disproportionately affect local producers and lead to market concentration. NAFDAC has reiterated that only two packaging formats are affected: spirit drinks in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200ml .
Public health advocacy groups, including the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), have thrown their weight behind NAFDAC, arguing that the ban is a necessary step to protect vulnerable Nigerians from alcohol-related harm. They dismiss claims of job losses as exaggerated, stating that production is largely mechanized .
The House of Representatives Committee on NAFDAC has ordered the suspension of the ban pending an investigation, citing concerns over unemployment and economic hardship. The committee has urged NAFDAC to consider access control measures to prevent underage consumption .
