The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control , through its Federal Capital Territory Directorate, has seized contraband alcoholic products from Wuse Market, Abuja.
The FCT Director of NAFDAC, Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe, revealed on Thursday that the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles are still prohibited.
During the operation, several sachets of alcohol, along with small bottles, including 30ml and 100ml packs, were uncovered and confiscated.
Azikiwe urged retailers and distributors to halt the sale and distribution of these banned products, advising them to return any remaining stock to NAFDAC.
“We want to appeal to manufacturers to respect the ministerial ban and the agreement signed by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria in 2018 with NAFDAC. The Association of Food, Tobacco, Beverage Employers, and the Federal Competition Consumer Protection Council were also part of the agreement,” he stated.
He further clarified that the agreement, which implemented a phased withdrawal process, is now in its final stage to ensure the complete elimination of these banned products from the market.
Despite several awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagements aimed at ensuring compliance with the ban, Azikiwe expressed disappointment that some manufacturers and distributors still claim ignorance of the regulations.