NAFDAC orders nationwide recall of sachet alcohol, PET bottles under 200ml; destruction supervised
NAFDAC has ordered manufacturers nationwide to recall all alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, with destruction of the recalled products to be supervised by the agency. Manufacturers bear the full cost of the recall and destruction exercise.
The directive follows an Irrevocable Enforcement Undertaking signed by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and their member companies. Under this undertaking, affected manufacturers must immediately recall the prohibited drinks from distributors, warehouses and other supply chain points, and submit periodic compliance reports to NAFDAC.
All recalled products will undergo inventory verification before destruction under NAFDAC supervision. Manufacturers whose facilities were sealed for producing these drinks must dismantle, permanently disable or reconfigure the production lines used for the affected pack sizes before reopening. Facility reopening depends on full compliance with the recall, payment of investigative charges and regulatory fees, successful destruction of products, and satisfactory NAFDAC inspection.
Non-compliance risks severe sanctions including continued facility closure, placement on NAFDAC's Regulatory Watchlist, suspension or revocation of product registrations, and criminal prosecution where applicable.
NAFDAC first raised concerns in 2018 about high-alcohol-content drinks in sachets and small bottles being cheap, easy to conceal and accessible to minors. A five-year moratorium agreed in December 2018 (initially ending January 2024, extended to December 2025) led to the full ban taking effect January 1, 2026. Enforcement began with manufacturers in January, followed by nationwide mop-up operations across markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and distribution centres in July.
The ban targets reducing underage drinking, alcohol abuse, and access to highly concentrated alcoholic beverages in small, inexpensive containers. Members of the public are encouraged to report violations through NAFDAC's official channels or nearest office.
Will you check your local shops for banned sachet alcohol and report any sightings to NAFDAC to help enforce this public health measure?