•NAFDAC operatives seize banned sachet alcoholic drinks
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the official shutdown of three alcohol manufacturing companies in Ota, Ogun State, for allegedly violating the federal government’s ban on producing alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles.
A statement by the Agency noted that the sting operation was led by the Assistant Director of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kunke Ojo.
During the enforcement exercise, NAFDAC said its team uncovered several violations across the affected factories, reports Channels TV.
The Agency said its officials inspected the first facility last Friday, and found sachet alcohol in active production alongside large quantities of PET bottles.
“The factory was initially put on hold. However, during a follow-up visit, officials discovered that the sachet products had been secretly removed from the premises.
“NAFDAC has flagged this as a serious violation, as the products were already under regulatory enforcement.”
On the second company (name withheld), NAFDAC said its enforcement team caught the company allegedly continuing the production of sachet alcoholic beverages despite the federal ban.
“The premises were immediately sealed.”
The Agency added that it had inspected the third company (name withheld) in January and had placed on hold 22 production machines, and millions of PET bottles and sachet packaging materials were confiscated for destruction.
During this latest inspection, NAFDAC said its officials discovered that the company had allegedly broken the seals and put the machines back into operation to continue producing sachet alcoholic drinks.
“Millions of additional PET bottles were found on-site, leading to the immediate sealing of the factory”, the statement added.
Addressing the operation, NAFDAC reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for regulatory evasion.
“This enforcement exercise is part of our strict commitment to ensuring full compliance with the nationwide ban and protecting public health by removing prohibited alcoholic products from the market.”
Consumers were advised to remain vigilant and report the illegal sale or production of banned sachet alcoholic beverages to the nearest NAFDAC office.
