Illegal sachet alcohol: NAFDAC seals three Ogun plants

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down three factories in Ogun State for allegedly manufacturing alcoholic drinks in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, despite a Federal Government prohibition on such products.

The enforcement exercise, carried out in the Sango-Ota and Idi-Iroko areas, targeted Intercontinental Distilleries Ltd., Shashi Distillery Ltd. and an undisclosed facility linked to Nigeria Distillery Ltd.

Speaking with journalists on Monday, Assistant Director in NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr Kunle Ojo, said the operation formed part of the second phase of the agency’s nationwide crackdown on the continued production of alcoholic beverages in banned packaging.

According to him, officials initially inspected Nigeria Distillery Ltd. on Idi-Iroko Road but found no evidence of illegal production. However, fresh intelligence received on July 24 led operatives to another factory allegedly operated by the company.

Ojo said inspectors found prohibited packaging materials, including sachet nylon and containers designed for alcoholic drinks below the approved 200ml limit.

“We discovered uncountable 100ml alcoholic bottles, packaging materials for sachets and already producing sachet alcohol still on production machines at the facility.

“We also noticed today that after sealing the factory some of the items we found on Friday are missing, this is a serious violation and it will be dealt with administratively.”

He explained that NAFDAC had earlier visited Intercontinental Distilleries and Shashi Distillery in January, where 22 machines used to produce sachet alcoholic drinks were stopped and banned packaging materials were removed.

During a follow-up inspection on July 24, officials again found packaging materials for alcoholic beverages below 200ml, prompting the agency to seal the affected premises.

“When we came in last week, we discovered old packaging materials and those machines we placed on hold were producing the banned products again.

“This is exactly why we decided to close down the entire factory because what NAFDAC said they should not produce, they are secretly producing.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAFDAC began enforcing the Federal Government’s ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic drinks packaged in PET bottles below 200ml in January.

Ojo said the agency would sustain its enforcement campaign to rid the market of prohibited alcoholic products and protect public health.

He also urged members of the public to alert the nearest NAFDAC office whenever they notice suspected production or distribution of banned alcoholic beverages.