NAFDAC Dismisses Reports Of Federal Order Suspending Sachet Alcohol Enforcement

 The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted media claims suggesting the Federal Government instructed the agency to halt its enforcement of regulations governing sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic beverages.

The Agency described the publication as false and misleading, insisting that no such directive had been received from the Federal Government.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NAFDAC clarified that it continued to operate within its statutory mandate and in line with government policies formally communicated to it.

The clarification followed a report attributed to a statement allegedly issued in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Terrence Kuanum, which claimed the Federal Government had ordered a halt to enforcement actions linked to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic drinks.

However, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, firmly refuted the claim, stressing that the agency had not received any instruction to suspend its regulatory activities.

She said, “The said publication is false, misleading, and does not reflect any official communication received by the Agency from the Federal Government.

“At no time has the Agency received any formal directive ordering the suspension of its regulatory or enforcement activities in respect of sachet alcohol products.”

Adeyeye reiterated that NAFDAC remains committed to safeguarding public health and ensuring regulatory compliance across the food and drug sector.

She noted that the agency carries out its responsibilities transparently and in accordance with established laws and due process.

“Any decision affecting national regulatory actions will be communicated through official government channels,” she added.

The NAFDAC boss urged members of the public, industry stakeholders, and the media to disregard the report and rely solely on verified information released through the agency’s official platforms and authorised government communication channels.

The agency also warned against the spread of unverified information capable of causing unnecessary public anxiety, economic uncertainty, or misinterpretation of government policies.

It further reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health, promoting economic stability, and acting in the national interest.

The regulation of sachet alcohol and other small-volume alcoholic beverages has remained a subject of national debate in recent years, driven by concerns over underage access, substance abuse, and broader public health risks.

Stakeholders across the health and manufacturing sectors have continued to express divergent views on the proposed restrictions, with regulators emphasising safety and public health, while industry players call for phased implementation and wider consultations.