The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a mop-up of sachet alcoholic drinks and alcohol packaged below 200ml from shops across Edo State.
The enforcement exercise was carried out on Friday in Benin at Mission Road and New Benin Market, where the agency seized the affected products.
Speaking during the operation, the squad leader, Mr. Ugwu Agu, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement, South-South/South-East Zone, Asaba, said the agency acted on credible intelligence. He represented Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.
“We had credible intelligence that these alcohol products are in this place. So we came here, we saw it, and we are mopping it up,” Agu said.
He explained that the exercise was intended to send a clear warning that the sale of such products is no longer permissible under existing regulations. Agu noted that the small-sized products had negatively affected youths and children who could easily purchase and conceal them in their pockets.
According to him, limiting access to alcohol, especially for persons below 18 years, aligns with resolutions signed by NAFDAC and the World Health Assembly.
“We are trying to mop it up. Wherever we see it in any market, we will mop it up and take it away from circulation. That is what the law says,” he stated.
On the deadline for compliance, Agu disclosed that the last day for the sale of the products had already elapsed, making their continued availability a violation of the directive.
“The last day was supposed to be 20th. For it to be here is a violation. They have been given different times to readjust,” he said.
He observed that while the products were no longer displayed in markets in Lagos and other parts of the country, intelligence indicated that Edo State remained non-compliant.
“We heard that Edo is very recalcitrant. They don’t want to obey this rule, and that is why we are saying that enough is enough,” Agu added.
He recalled that the NAFDAC office in Edo had earlier, on September 18, carried out another mop-up operation at two distributors’ warehouses in the state. The warehouses were sealed pending the evacuation of the products for destruction in line with regulatory requirements.
The ongoing enforcement is part of NAFDAC’s broader efforts to restrict the sale of small-packaged alcoholic drinks and protect public health, particularly among young people.
