NAFDAC seizes N300m banned drinks in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has seized alcoholic beverages worth an estimated N300m packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml during enforcement operations in Lagos State.

NAFDAC disclosed this in a statement shared on its Facebook page on Sunday, adding that some distributors and retailers involved in the sale of the prohibited products were arrested.

The agency said the enforcement operations were carried out at Ile-Epo Market, Ojuwoye Market in Mushin and Oke-Arin Market on Lagos Island.

“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 investigations revealed that some distributors and retailers were hoarding the prohibited products amid increased demand and rising prices.

The agency said the enforcement was part of 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.

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“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.

PUNCH Metro reported on August 25 that NAFDAC ordered manufacturers of banned alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate bottles below 200ml to recall the products nationwide or risk closure of their facilities.

NAFDAC had also vowed to fully enforce the Federal Government-approved prohibition of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET or plastic bottles below 200ml, warning that the ban was irrevocable.

The agency had stated that the years of grace given to manufacturers by the Federal Government to stop producing the products had expired.