FG to Ban Sale of Alcohol in Sachet, Polyethylene and Bottles

The Federal Government is preparing plans to ban alcohol in sachet, small Polyethylene Terephthalate and glass bottles in the country.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye in a statement on Saturday, September 12,2020.

“NAFDAC under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Health, once again, wishes to bring to the attention of the general public,concerns relating to the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets, small volume glass and PET bottles.

These concerns relate to negative effects of irresponsible alcohol consumption on public health and on the safety and security of the public, alcohol being a toxic and psychoactive substance with dependence producing properties.

Uncontrolled access and availability of high concentration alcohol in sachet and small volume PET or glass bottles has been put forward as a factor contributing to substance and alcohol abuse in Nigeria with its negative impact on the society.

The Federal Ministry of Health is concerned about the high incidence of substance and alcohol abuse in the country and NAFDAC, being the competent authority and working with relevant stakeholders, is increasing efforts to stem this.

With regard to alcohol, major stakeholders have been engaged at the highest level and are already sensitised to the issue.

To this end, several interventions jointly agreed upon by major stakeholders are being undertaken and as a first step, no new products in sachet and small volume PET or glass bottles above 30 per cent ABV will be registered by NAFDAC.” She said.