The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has started a mop-up operation of sachet alcoholic drinks and alcohol below 200ml in Edo State. The exercise, which began on Friday, targeted shops across the state, with a focus on Benin's Mission Road and New Benin Market. NAFDAC's Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Ugwu Agu, led the operation, representing Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement.
According to Mr. Agu, the agency acted on credible intelligence that these products were being sold in the markets. The operation resulted in the seizure of the affected products, which will be taken away from circulation. The exercise aims to sound a note of warning that the sale of such products is no longer tolerable under existing regulations. NAFDAC is enforcing a ban on these products due to concerns over their impact on youths and children.
The products in question have been criticized for their small sizes, which make them easily accessible to youths and children who can conceal them in their pockets. Limiting access to alcohol, especially for persons below 18 years, is in line with resolutions signed by NAFDAC and the World Health Assembly. By mopping up these products, NAFDAC aims to prevent their negative impact on vulnerable populations.
The mop-up operation is not a one-time event, as NAFDAC plans to continue enforcing the ban across Edo State. The agency has already carried out a similar operation at two distributors' warehouses in the state on September 18, sealing them pending the evacuation of the products for destruction. The goal is to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and protect public health.
Edo State has been identified as a recalcitrant state, with reports indicating that it has not been compliant with the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks. NAFDAC's Mr. Agu stated that the state has been given different times to readjust, but continued non-compliance will not be tolerated. The agency is determined to ensure that the ban is enforced and that the products are removed from circulation.
The enforcement operation in Edo State follows similar exercises in other parts of the country, with Lagos and other states having already complied with the ban. NAFDAC's efforts aim to create a uniform regulatory environment across Nigeria, protecting the health and well-being of citizens, particularly vulnerable populations.
The mop-up operation will continue, with NAFDAC urging traders and distributors to comply with the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks and drinks below 200ml. The agency has set a deadline for compliance, and continued availability of these products will be considered a violation of the directive.
Key points
- NAFDAC has commenced a mop-up operation of sachet alcoholic drinks and drinks below 200ml in Edo State.
- The exercise aims to prevent the negative impact of these products on youths and children.
- Edo State has been identified as a recalcitrant state, with NAFDAC determined to ensure compliance with the ban.
