Kehinde Fajobi
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml during a raid in Delta State.
Speaking after the operation on Wednesday, the agency’s Deputy Director and State Coordinator, Jude Ndekile, reiterated that the sale of such products remains prohibited.
“The Federal Government issued a directive in 2018, in collaboration with NAFDAC and the Federal Ministry of Health, to stop the production of alcoholic beverages below 200ml in sachets and PET bottles,” Ndekile stated.
He explained that the decision was made to prevent easy access to alcohol by minors, with a moratorium of five years given to phase out these products by December 2023.
Despite several awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagements, Ndekile lamented that the sale of these banned items has increased.
“In spite of the directive and sensitisation, there is still a high increase in the sale of these drinks in the markets,” he said.
“The sachet and PET bottles of alcoholic drinks below 200ml are everywhere in the market, and children can easily buy them.”
Ndekile expressed concern over the rise in alcohol abuse among minors, adding, “Children become easily independent once they start taking alcohol.”
He assured that enforcement would continue across the state, focusing on markets and motor parks where such products are readily accessible to transporters.
The enforcement team visited the Asaba Ogbeogonogo Modern Market and Midwifery Market, Okpanam, where various alcoholic beverages were seized, including Orijin Bitters, Action Bitters, Odogwu Bitters, Squadron, and Eagle Aromatic Schnapps.
Ndekile advised distributors and wholesalers to halt the sale of these banned products, urging manufacturers to comply with NAFDAC’s directive.
“Manufacturers should adhere to NAFDAC instructions that they should not manufacture PET bottles below 200ml and sachets,” he said.