The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered manufacturers to recall alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and containers below 200 millilitres, directing that the affected products be destroyed under the agency’s supervision.
The latest directive marks an escalation of the Federal Government’s enforcement of restrictions on small-volume alcoholic drinks, which authorities say are particularly concerning because of their affordability and accessibility.
NAFDAC directed manufacturers to conduct a proper inventory of all affected products and facilitate their destruction in the presence of the agency’s officials.
The manufacturers will be responsible for the cost of recalling and destroying the prohibited products.
The agency also warned manufacturers, distributors and other businesses involved in the supply chain against violating the regulation, stressing that defaulters could face regulatory sanctions.
The directive covers alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and containers below 200ml and is aimed at ensuring that prohibited products are removed from circulation rather than remaining available for purchase.
The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria Alcohol Policy and its Multisectoral Implementation Plan 2026–2030 in Abuja, providing a national framework for addressing harmful alcohol use.
The policy, launched by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, covers key areas including the regulation of alcohol production, distribution, marketing and consumption.
Speaking at the launch, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, identified harmful alcohol use and the circulation of illicit and unregulated alcoholic products as major public health concerns.
Pate stressed that tackling alcohol-related harm required coordinated action involving government agencies, the alcohol industry, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
He said the consequences of harmful alcohol use extend beyond the health sector, given their links to a wide range of health and social problems.
The minister consequently called for stronger cooperation among relevant institutions to ensure that the new policy is effectively implemented.
