The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted a report claiming that the Federal Government directed it to suspend enforcement actions on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products.
The agency said this in a statement signed by its Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Wednesday.
NAFDAC described the publication as false and misleading, saying it did not reflect any official communication sent to the agency by the Federal Government.
“At no time has the Agency received any formal directive ordering the suspension of its regulatory or enforcement activities in respect of sachet alcohol products,” the agency stated.
NAFDAC added that it had begun evacuating “the violative satchet alcohol and alcohol in PET bottles less than 200 ml from different companies.”
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It said it also observed that some companies were already stopping production in smaller pack sizes after realising the agency’s aim was to protect children from easy access to alcohol.
“As published, about 50% of minors and underage patronize retailers of alcohol sold in sachets and PET bottles less than 200 ml,” NAFDAC said.
The agency said it remained committed to safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with existing laws, adding that any decision affecting national regulatory actions would be communicated through official government channels.
It urged members of the public, industry stakeholders and the media to disregard the report and rely only on verified information issued through its official platforms and authorised government communication channels.
NAFDAC also cautioned against spreading unverified information capable of causing misinformation, fake news and misinterpretation of government policy.
