A media story asserting that the federal government ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to halt enforcement efforts regarding the regulation of alcoholic goods in 200ml PET bottles and sachets has been rejected.
The agency insisted that no such direction had been received from the Federal Government and characterized the release as misleading and untrue.
NAFDAC explained in a statement released on Wednesday that it was still operating in accordance with the government’s formally declared policy and within its statutory mandate.
The clarification was said to come after a report that cited a statement purportedly made in Abuja by Terrence Kuanum, the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, claiming the Federal Government had ordered a halt to enforcement actions related to the proposed ban on small-volume alcoholic drinks and sachet alcohol.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, vehemently denied the allegation, emphasizing that the organization had not been given any directive to halt its regulatory operations.
According to her, the aforementioned publication is inaccurate, deceptive, and does not represent any formal correspondence that the Agency has received from the federal government.
“The Agency has never been given a formal directive directing it to halt its enforcement or regulation efforts concerning sachet alcohol products.”
Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s dedication to protecting the public’s health and guaranteeing adherence to regulations in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
She stated that the agency operates openly and in compliance with the law and due process.
“Any decision affecting national regulatory actions will be communicated through official government channels,” she continued.
The head of NAFDAC advised the public, business stakeholders, and media to ignore the story and depend only on verified information disseminated through the agency’s official platforms and authorized government communication channels.
Additionally, the agency cautioned against the dissemination of unsubstantiated material that could lead to unwarranted public fear, economic instability, or misunderstandings of governmental regulations.
It also reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the nation’s interests, fostering economic stability, and safeguarding public health.
In recent years, concerns about underage access, drug misuse, and wider public health dangers have kept the regulation of sachet alcohol and other small-volume alcoholic beverages at the forefront of national discourse.
Stakeholders in the manufacturing and health sectors have continued to voice differing opinions about the proposed limitations; industry participants demand more extensive consultations and staggered implementation, while regulators place a strong emphasis on safety and public health.
