Small-Bottle Alcohol Crackdown Agreed with Manufacturers Over the Years - NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says its enforcement of the ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets and small bottles is not a random crackdown.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, speaking at a press conference organised at the NAFDAC Complex, Lagos, said the action followed years of discussions with manufacturers and government agencies, which resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2018.

“The ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and pet bottles below 200ml in Nigeria was not an abrupt decision,” the DG said.

“It evolved over many years through consultations between regulators, manufacturers and government agencies.”

The DG said the 2018 agreement gave manufacturers five years to phase out alcohol in sachets and containers below 200 milliliters.

“The industry was given until 31st January 2024” to reconfigure production lines, move to larger packaging and phase out sachet alcohol and small bottles, the DG said.

After further lobbying and consultations, the government extended the deadline to 31st December 2025.

The ban then took effect 1st January 2026, covering alcohol packaged in sachets, pet bottles below 200 ml and glass bottles below 200 ml.

The DG said NAFDAC began enforcement with manufacturers in January before moving to a nationwide market operation in July.

“We approached this enforcement as a tiered enforcement nationwide,” the DG said.

“In January 2026, NAFDAC announced the commencement of the first tiered enforcement after receiving legislative backing from the Senate.

"It started with the manufacturers where any lot found in any manufacturing facility was evacuated and destroyed.”

The second phase targeted markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres, where NAFDAC seized remaining banned products.

The DG said some factories were closed and staff arrested after banned products were found.

Affected manufacturers must recall the products, destroy them under NAFDAC supervision and reconfigure or dismantle production lines before their factories can reopen.

“Companies that fail to comply with the terms of the undertaking risk severe regulatory sanctions,” the DG said, including continued closure, suspension or revocation of product registrations and possible criminal prosecution.

So far, 10 manufacturers, names withheld, have complied with the ban, with more still in discussions with NAFDAC over proper compliance.