Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, initiated the enforcement of the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks in Osun State on Tuesday.
They visited several factories in Osogbo, Ilesa, and Ile-Ife, where these beverages were being produced in sachets, PET bottles, and glass bottles of 100ml and below.
Speaking during the enforcement operation, Mr. Dare Moses, Assistant Director, NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Lagos, said that the licences for the production of sachet alcoholic drinks of 100ml and below had expired since Jan. 31.
Moses said that the ban had become necessary due to the abuse of alcoholic drinks by Nigerians, especially the youth.
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He said due to its low quantity and affordability, many young Nigerians were in the habit of abusing it, which was affecting their mental health.
“This enforcement is a nationwide thing and that is why we are here in Osun to sensitise the companies producing this sachet alcoholic bitter.
“The deadline had been given for producers of alcoholic beverages to phase out 100ml and those in sachets and the rest so that we reduce the menace of abuse of alcohol by the youth and the general public.
“NAFDAC has stopped the registration for the manufacturing of alcoholic bitter drink that is below 200ml; this is due to the abuse of the drink by Nigerians.
“Due to its small size and affordability, even primary school pupils buy it to drink, and this is affecting their mental wellbeing.
“Also, most drivers at motor parks buy this sachet alcoholic drink and consume it before embarking on their journey, thus putting the lives of passengers at risk.
“That is why we are here to tell the manufacturers to stop producing it. Once we can stop production from the source, people will not have access to it again,” he said.
Moses urged Nigerians to desist from the excessive consumption of alcohol due to its adverse effect on the brain and human behaviour.
He said NAFDAC would not rest on its oars to mop up the sachet of alcoholic drinks of 100ml and below from the Nigerian market.
Recall that the sachet drinks were confiscated in some of the manufacturing companies in Osogbo, Ilesa, and Ile-Ife.
According to Vanguard, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, recently announced the commencement of the enforcement of the ban on the importation, manufacturing, distribution, sales, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, pet and glass bottles of 200ml and below.
According to her, as of Jan. 31, there is no alcoholic beverage in these categories that are registered by the agency.