The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called for restraint on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) ban on sachet and small PET bottles of alcohol, stating that it compromises jobs and livelihoods, and activates other unintended consequences.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director-general of MAN, noting that it is inimical to the profitable operation of the companies concerned and will certainly hurt the economy of the country.
Kadir noted that the recent action of NAFDAC is 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 the agency from taking the needless punitive action of banning the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles.
“Rather than abiding by the generally agreed resolution, NAFDAC bided its time and chose to rely on a resolution of the Senate that was devoid of the usual stakeholders’ engagement,” he said.
Recall that NAFDAC had announced plans to enforce a nationwide ban on the production, sale and distribution of sachet and other alcoholic beverages below 200ml from the end of 2025, with enforcement intensified as of January 2026, citing public health concerns, rising alcohol abuse, and the ease with which underage consumers can access cheap, easily concealable drinks.
Read also: NAFDAC begins enforcement on ban of sachet alcohol
Kadir cautioned that the action of NAFDAC is detrimental to the survival of the concerned indigenous industrial operators.
“It is counterproductive as it will open up the market for illicit, sub-standard, and unregulated products. It will lead to an influx of imported alternatives, mostly smuggled, denying the government of revenues collectable from the companies, and denying adult consumers with low budgets access to the products. The overall effect is that the economy and livelihoods will be negatively impacted.
MAN reemphasised that the advent of the sale of alcohol in sachets and PET bottles was not intended to have a negative impact on Nigerians, rather, it 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,” they said, noting that alcohol served in sachets by local producers is produced under hygienic conditions and certified by regulatory agencies, which include NAFDAC.
“To ban such products would open the floodgates of illicit and unwholesome substances that are not subject to regulation, dangerous to health, and are beyond the control of the relevant regulatory agencies,” MAN group stated.
MAN further stated that the untested assertion of abuse by minors as the basis for the ban has been controverted by credible and empirical research that was independently conducted.
“The industry, on its own, has even gone further, notwithstanding the report of the survey, to initiate a series of campaigns in respect of responsible alcohol consumption to discourage underage abuse.
“This has so far cost the operators over a billion Naira in advertisements at all levels of media outreach across the federation. This has been very impactful in discouraging abuse by underage persons and has deepened the access restriction landscape,” the association noted.
MAN therefore, appeal to the federal government to prevail on NAFDAC to stop the disruption of members’ activities and abide by the directive to suspend the implementation of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles.
