NAFDAC Denies FG Ordered Suspension of Sachet Alcohol Ban
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed a media report claiming that the Federal Government directed it to suspend enforcement of regulations on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic drinks.
In a statement on Wednesday, the agency described the publication as false and misleading, emphasising that it had not received any official communication from the Federal Government instructing it to halt regulatory activities.
The report, issued in Abuja by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, claimed the government had ordered NAFDAC to suspend enforcement of the proposed ban on these products.
But NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency operates strictly within its statutory mandate and in line with officially communicated government policies.
“The said publication is false, misleading, and does not reflect any official communication received by the Agency from the Federal Government,” Adeyeye said.
“At no time has the Agency received any formal directive ordering the suspension of its regulatory or enforcement activities in respect of sachet alcohol products.”
She added that NAFDAC remains committed to public health, regulatory compliance, and transparency, stressing that any national regulatory decisions will be communicated through official channels.
Adeyeye urged the public, media, and industry stakeholders to rely only on verified information from the agency’s official platforms and authorised government communication channels.
The agency warned against spreading unverified reports, saying they can cause public anxiety, economic uncertainty, and misinterpretation of government policy.
Regulation of sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic drinks has sparked national debate in recent years due to concerns about underage access, substance abuse, and public health risks.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
