The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized alcoholic beverages worth an estimated ₦300 million packaged in sachets and PET bottles of less than 200ml during enforcement operations across Lagos State.
The agency also arrested several distributors and retailers allegedly involved in the sale and distribution of the prohibited products.
NAFDAC disclosed this in a statement shared on its Facebook page on Sunday, saying the enforcement operations were conducted at Ile-Epo Market, Ojuwoye Market in Mushin and Oke-Arin Market on Lagos Island.
According to the agency, its officials evacuated several cartons of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from the markets.
“Officials evacuated several cartons of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from these locations.
“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 preliminary investigations indicated that some distributors and retailers were hoarding the prohibited products amid increased demand and rising prices.
The agency said the enforcement was part of its efforts to ensure compliance with the ban on the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.
It 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 ₦300 million,” it stated.
The Telegraph reported on August 25 that NAFDAC had ordered 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 ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET or plastic bottles below 200ml, describing the prohibition as irrevocable.
NAFDAC said the grace periods previously given to manufacturers to discontinue production of the affected products had expired.
