…The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down three factories in Ogun State for allegedly producing banned sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET bottles below 200ml, intensifying enforcement of the Federal Government’s directive.
Key points
- NAFDAC sealed three factories in Ogun State for allegedly producing banned sachet alcohol and sub-200ml PET bottled alcoholic drinks.
- The affected factories are Intercontinental Distilleries Ltd., Shashi Distillery Ltd., and an undisclosed factory owned by Nigeria Distillery Ltd.
- The enforcement exercise was carried out in the Sango-Ota and Idi-Iroko axis of Ogun State.
- Officials discovered 100ml alcoholic bottles, sachet packaging materials and products allegedly still in production.
- NAFDAC said some seized items were missing after one of the factories was sealed, describing it as a serious violation.
- The agency vowed to intensify enforcement and urged the public to report illegal production activities.
Main Story
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed three factories in Ogun State for allegedly producing banned sachet alcoholic drinks and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET bottles below 200 millilitres.
The enforcement operation, carried out in the Sango-Ota and Idi-Iroko axis of the state, forms part of the second phase of NAFDAC’s nationwide implementation of the Federal Government’s ban on the affected products.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, the Assistant Director of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kunle Ojo, said the affected facilities include Intercontinental Distilleries Ltd., Shashi Distillery Ltd., and an undisclosed factory operated by Nigeria Distillery Ltd.
According to Ojo, the undisclosed facility was uncovered following intelligence received by the agency after officials initially visited Nigeria Distillery Ltd.’s registered premises along Kilometre 14, Idi-Iroko Road without finding evidence of ongoing production.
He said the intelligence led enforcement officers to another location where they discovered prohibited packaging materials, 100ml alcoholic bottles and sachet packaging used for products banned under existing regulations.
Ojo disclosed that officials also found sachet alcoholic drinks still being produced on factory machines during the inspection.
He further alleged that after the factory was sealed, some of the items previously observed during an earlier inspection had disappeared, describing the development as a serious administrative violation that would be investigated.
The NAFDAC official recalled that the agency had earlier visited Intercontinental Distilleries and Shashi Distillery in January, where it directed the companies to stop using 22 machines producing sachet alcoholic beverages and evacuated packaging materials for alcoholic drinks below 200ml.
However, a follow-up inspection conducted on July 24 reportedly revealed that the companies had resumed production using the same facilities, prompting the agency to shut down the factories.
Ojo said the enforcement action demonstrates NAFDAC’s determination to ensure full compliance with the government’s ban on sachet alcohol and undersized PET-packaged alcoholic beverages.
He added that the agency would continue to strengthen surveillance and enforcement efforts to remove prohibited products from the market and safeguard public health.
Ojo also urged Nigerians to report suspected illegal production or distribution of banned alcoholic beverages to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The Issues
Continued production of banned alcoholic beverages undermines regulatory compliance and public health protection.
Illegal manufacture of sachet alcohol raises concerns about enforcement and adherence to government directives.
Allegations that production resumed after previous enforcement actions highlight compliance challenges within the industry.
Effective surveillance and intelligence gathering remain critical to preventing illegal manufacturing activities.
Public cooperation is essential in identifying and reporting producers of prohibited alcoholic products.
What’s Being Said
Kunle Ojo, Assistant Director in NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, said the agency discovered prohibited 100ml alcoholic bottles, sachet packaging materials and products allegedly still being produced despite the government’s ban.
He said the factories had previously been warned to stop producing the banned products but were found to have resumed production, prompting NAFDAC to seal the facilities.
Ojo also stated that the agency would intensify enforcement efforts and take administrative action over the reported disappearance of items from one of the sealed factories.
What’s Next
NAFDAC is expected to continue the second phase of its nationwide enforcement exercise against banned sachet alcohol and undersized PET alcoholic beverages. The agency says it will investigate the alleged violations, pursue administrative sanctions where necessary and work with the public to identify other facilities involved in the illegal production of prohibited products.
Bottom Line
NAFDAC’s latest enforcement action underscores the agency’s resolve to enforce the Federal Government’s ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages packaged below 200ml. The operation highlights ongoing regulatory challenges and the need for stronger industry compliance to protect public health.
 has sealed three factories in Ogun State for allegedly producing ...){kind=link}