Members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria have vowed to storm the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to protest against the ban on the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets.
According to an invitation addressed to The PUNCH on Monday, the association declared their intention to stage a protest on Tuesday at the NAFDAC Office situated on the Lagos-Oshodi Apapa Expressway, Isolo, Lagos.
“We are extending our invitation to you to attend the peaceful protest on NAFDAC’s ban on alcoholic beverage drinks in sachets and pet bottles,” the notice said.
The association’s response swiftly followed an announcement by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, on Monday. Prof. Adeyeye stated during a press conference in Abuja that the agency would initiate the enforcement of a ban on the importation, production, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.
“As of January 31st, 2024, there is no alcoholic beverage in these categories that are registered by NAFDAC. I also want to inform you that the agency has started enforcement actions to enforce the implementation of this policy. The window period given to manufacturers by NAFDAC to sell off all alcoholic drinks in this category elapsed on January 31st, 2024.
“To this end on the first day, after the elapse of the window period, the agency commenced nationwide enforcement actions on February 1st, 2024 to enforce the implementation of the new policy,” she said.
She pointed out that during enforcement operations, it was found that certain manufacturers of the prohibited items continued production and possessed significant quantities of both finished products and packaging materials.
“This situation is of course not acceptable, and the agency views this as flagrant disobedience to the laws of Nigeria. NAFDAC views this matter seriously, and will engage all statutory means, which may include prosecution, to deal with the matter.
“I want to use this medium to ask all holders of alcohol in sachets, PET and glass bottles, empty sachets, PET bottles, empty glass bottles, and other packaging materials of these banned products to immediately report to the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC for hand-over of same to NAFDAC for destruction, to prevent sterner measures including prosecution,” she declared.
Adeyeye emphasized that NAFDAC would work closely with the National Union of Road Transport Workers to ensure the enforcement of the ban.
She said, “We intend to work with the NURTW to ensure the enforcement of the banned products. We surely will work on that, and ensure that they are stopped and phased out.”
Narrating further,she said,in January 2022, NAFDAC halted the registration of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small-volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml.
This action followed a recommendation from a joint committee comprising the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and industry representatives such as the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers, as well as the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, in December 2018.
As a result of the committee’s decision, producers of alcohol in sachets and small volumes agreed to reduce production by five percent starting from January 31, 2022, with the ultimate goal of completely phasing out the product in the country by January 31, 2024.
“NAFDAC committed to ensuring that the validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category does not exceed the year 2024.
“NAFDAC is resolutely committed to the strict implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the health of Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable youth, against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol,” Adeyeye assured.