The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a nationwide enforcement campaign to remove banned sachet alcoholic drinks and alcohol products packaged in PET bottles below 200ml from circulation across Nigeria.
The exercise began on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, with coordinated operations across the country’s six geopolitical zones aimed at enforcing the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation and sale of the products.
Also read: NAFDAC warns against two banned alcoholic energy drinks seized in Ghana
NAFDAC said the exercise followed the closure of manufacturing facilities found to have breached the restriction and would target markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution networks where the prohibited products may still be available.
The agency said its enforcement teams are conducting inspections, seizures and destruction of affected products as part of a broader effort to protect public health and reduce harmful alcohol consumption, particularly among children and young people.
“The enforcement operations across the country will not be a one-off operation but part of a sustained enforcement and public education campaign,” NAFDAC said in a statement.
The regulator urged manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers and transport operators with remaining stocks of the banned beverages to voluntarily surrender them to authorities.
NAFDAC warned that individuals and businesses who continue to produce, store or sell the prohibited products could face seizure of goods, regulatory penalties and possible prosecution.
The agency clarified that the exercise was not targeted at compliant manufacturers whose products meet approved packaging requirements.
Instead, the focus is on removing alcohol products that regulators consider a significant public health concern because of their accessibility, especially among minors.
The Federal Government introduced restrictions on sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic drinks following concerns from health advocates and regulators that the packaging format made such products easier for underage consumers to access.
NAFDAC said the latest enforcement campaign would combine market surveillance with public awareness efforts to encourage responsible alcohol consumption among adults and discourage the use of illegal products.
The agency appealed to Nigerians to support the initiative by reporting individuals or businesses involved in producing, storing or selling the banned alcoholic beverages.
It also advised consumers to avoid purchasing the products, describing them as unregistered, unsafe and illegal.
Also read: NAFDAC warns against two banned alcoholic energy drinks seized in Ghana
The nationwide operation highlights NAFDAC’s continued push to strengthen regulatory compliance within Nigeria’s beverage sector while addressing concerns around youth exposure to easily accessible alcoholic products.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
