The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed three manufacturing facilities in Ogun State over alleged production of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, despite a Federal Government ban on such products.
The enforcement operation was carried out in the Sango-Ota and Idi-Iroko areas of Ogun State as part of NAFDAC’s nationwide effort to stop the production and distribution of prohibited alcoholic drinks.
Also read: NAFDAC begins nationwide sachet alcohol ban enforcement
The affected facilities include Intercontinental Distilleries Ltd., Shashi Distillery Ltd. and an undisclosed facility linked to Nigeria Distillery Ltd.
Speaking with journalists on Monday, Kunle Ojo, Assistant Director in NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, said the action formed part of the agency’s second phase of intensified monitoring and enforcement against banned alcohol packaging.
NAFDAC officials initially visited Nigeria Distillery Ltd. along Idi-Iroko Road but did not find evidence of illegal production at the first location.
However, following intelligence received on July 24, operatives moved to another facility allegedly connected to the company, where prohibited materials were discovered.
“We discovered uncountable 100ml alcoholic bottles, packaging materials for sachets and already producing sachet alcohol still on production machines at the facility,” Ojo said.
The agency official also raised concerns over alleged violations after some materials identified during an earlier inspection were reportedly missing after the premises had been sealed.
“We also noticed today that after sealing the factory some of the items we found on Friday are missing. This is a serious violation and it will be dealt with administratively,” Ojo added.
NAFDAC said previous inspections at Intercontinental Distilleries and Shashi Distillery in January resulted in the shutdown of 22 machines used for producing sachet alcoholic drinks, with banned packaging materials removed from the facilities.
During a follow-up inspection on July 24, officials said they discovered that some of the affected facilities had resumed activities involving prohibited packaging materials.
“When we came in last week, we discovered old packaging materials and those machines we placed on hold were producing the banned products again,” Ojo said.
The agency explained that the decision to seal the factories was necessary because manufacturers had allegedly continued producing products that NAFDAC had instructed them to stop making.
The Federal Government’s restriction on sachet alcohol and alcoholic drinks packaged in PET bottles below 200ml was introduced as part of efforts to reduce public health risks associated with easy access to small-sized alcoholic products, particularly among young people.
Since enforcement began in January, NAFDAC has carried out several inspections and market surveillance exercises aimed at removing banned alcoholic beverages from circulation.
The latest action reflects the agency’s continued push to strengthen compliance within Nigeria’s food and beverage industry.
NAFDAC has urged members of the public to report suspected production or distribution of prohibited alcoholic products to the nearest agency office.
Also read: NAFDAC begins nationwide sachet alcohol ban enforcement
The agency said enforcement operations would continue nationwide as it works to protect consumers and ensure that manufacturers comply with approved regulatory standards.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
