By Chioma ObinnaThe National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Wednesday launched a nationwide enforcement operation to remove all alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate, PET, bottles below 200 millilitres from circulation, marking the full implementation of the Federal Government’s ban on the products.
The sweeping crackdown, which is taking place simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones, follows the closure of manufacturing facilities found to be producing the banned alcoholic drinks in violation of regulatory directives.
NAFDAC enforcement teams have fanned out to markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars, supermarkets and other distribution channels to identify, seize and destroy the prohibited products, warning that anyone found producing, importing, distributing, transporting, stocking or selling them risks prosecution.
In a press statement, the Director General of the Agency, Prof Christianah Adeyeye, said the agency has directed manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers and transporters to immediately surrender any remaining stock, stressing that continued possession or sale of the products would attract seizure, regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.
