The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed a media report claiming that the Federal Government directed it to suspend enforcement actions of sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the agency described the report as false and misleading, insisting that it had not received any official directive from the Federal Government to halt its regulatory activities.
The report, published earlier in the day, cited a statement allegedly issued in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Terrence Kuanum.
It claimed that the Federal Government had instructed NAFDAC to suspend all enforcement actions related to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic beverages.
However, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, refuted the claim, stressing that the agency operates strictly within its statutory mandate and in accordance with duly communicated Federal Government policies.
“The said publication is false, misleading, and does not reflect any official communication received by the Agency from 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,” Adeyeye stated.
She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and executing its responsibilities transparently and in line with established laws and due process.
“Any decision affecting national regulatory actions will be communicated through official government channels,” she added.
Adeyeye urged the public, industry stakeholders, and media organisations to disregard the report and rely solely on verified information disseminated through NAFDAC’s official platforms and authorised government communication channels.
The agency also warned against the spread of unverified information that could trigger unnecessary public anxiety, economic uncertainty, or misinterpretation of government policy.
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to public health, economic stability, and the national interest.
The regulation of sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic beverages has remained a contentious issue nationwide, with ongoing debates centred on concerns about underage consumption, substance abuse, and broader public health risks.
