SACHET ALCOHOL BAN: NAFDAC’s crackdown threatens survival of concerned manufacturers – MAN

By Yinka Kolawole

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has faulted the crackdown on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

In a statement on Tuesday, Director General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said the move which, according to him, is against the directive of the federal government  is detrimental to the survival of the concerned indigenous manufacturers.

His words: “MAN has observed, in recent times, the activities of NAFDAC regarding the disruption of the businesses of our members in the Wines and Spirits sector. This is inimical to the profitable operation of the companies concerned and will certainly hurt the Nigerian economy.

“Specifically, we have noted that NAFDAC has, in the last two weeks, gone ahead to implement the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles in flagrant disobedience of the directives from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the matter, as issued on 15th December 2025.

“The recent action of NAFDAC is also in direct contradiction of the earlier resolution of the House of Representatives on the matter (vide NAS/10/HR/CT.33/77c of 14th March 2024); wherein the House of Representatives, after an all-inclusive consultation with stakeholders through a Public Hearing, restrained NAFDAC from taking the needless punitive action of banning the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles.”

Ajayi-Kadir noted that the advent of the sale of alcohol in sachets and PET bottles was an innovation to serve the segment of the adult population with low budgets who desire the product and should have a right of choice.

“The ban would, therefore, deny them the opportunity to exercise that right. In addition, and on the positive side, availability in small portions could also discourage abuse associated with bigger portions.

“Equally important to note is that alcohol served in sachets by local producers is produced under hygienic conditions and certified by our regulatory agencies, which include NAFDAC.

To ban such products would open the floodgates of illicit and unwholesome substances that are not subject to regulation, are dangerous to health, and are beyond the control of the relevant regulatory agencies,” he added.

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