Nigeria’s drug and food regulator has denied reports that the federal government has ordered a suspension of the ban on sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic drinks.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said on Thursday that claims suggesting it had been directed to halt enforcement were “false and misleading”.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, NAFDAC said it had received no instruction from the federal government to suspend the policy and that the ban remains fully in force.
“At no time has the agency received any directive to suspend its regulatory or enforcement activities regarding sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic beverages,” the statement said.
The ban covers alcoholic drinks sold in sachets and in plastic bottles smaller than 200ml. NAFDAC said it had already begun removing products that violate the rules from manufacturing companies as part of ongoing enforcement.
According to the regulator, some manufacturers have started complying with the policy by stopping production of the affected pack sizes. It said the measure is aimed at reducing easy access to alcohol by minors.
NAFDAC previously said that about half of underage drinkers in Nigeria buy alcohol packaged in sachets or small plastic bottles, a figure it cited as a key reason for the restriction.
The agency said it was acting within its legal mandate and in line with federal policy, adding that it remains committed to protecting public health and enforcing regulations transparently.
It also warned against the spread of unverified information, urging the public, industry stakeholders and the media to rely only on official communication channels to avoid misinformation.
The ban on sachet alcohol has sparked debate among manufacturers and traders, with concerns raised about economic impact. However, NAFDAC insists the policy is necessary to address public health risks, particularly among young people.
