NAFDAC seizes N300m banned drinks in Lagos

By Frontline Reporters

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has seized alcoholic beverages estimated at N300 million packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate, PET, bottles below 200ml during enforcement operations across Lagos State.

The agency disclosed this in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Sunday, saying several distributors and retailers involved in the sale of the prohibited products were also arrested.

According to NAFDAC, the enforcement operations were conducted at Ile-Epo Market, Ojuwoye Market in Mushin and Oke-Arin Market on Lagos Island.

The agency said its officials evacuated several cartons of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from the affected markets.

“Distributors and retailers were arrested during operations at Ile-Epo Market, while raids were also conducted at Ojuwoye Market, Mushin, and Oke-Arin Market, Lagos Island,” the statement said.

NAFDAC said investigations showed that some distributors and retailers were allegedly hoarding the prohibited products amid increased demand and rising prices.

It said the enforcement operation was part of efforts to ensure compliance with the Federal Government’s ban on the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.

The agency warned distributors, retailers and other operators against selling, distributing or hoarding the prohibited products.

“NAFDAC emphasises that the ban remains in force and warns distributors, retailers and other operators against the sale, distribution or hoarding of the prohibited products.

“The value of the seized products is estimated at N300m,” it stated.

The latest enforcement comes after NAFDAC directed manufacturers of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml to recall the prohibited products nationwide or risk closure of their facilities.

The agency had also vowed to fully enforce the Federal Government-approved prohibition, describing the ban as irrevocable.

NAFDAC said the grace periods previously granted to manufacturers to discontinue production of the affected alcoholic beverages had expired, making continued production, distribution and sale of the products subject to enforcement action.