The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has temporarily lifted its ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and plastic bottles.
This decision follows extensive discussions with the House of Representatives, prompted by the current economic downturn.
Philip Agbese, the Deputy spokesperson for the House, announced the policy shift on Friday in Abuja, stating that sales would continue until the economy recovers.
Agbese detailed the collaborative discussions between the House Committee and NAFDAC officials, emphasizing the temporary nature of the ban’s suspension.
“During the meeting, we all agreed that, at a certain point in history, it is essential to advance alongside our global counterparts. However, we also concurred with NAFDAC that there would be a temporary lifting of the ban until the economy recovers its strength,” he said.
The House had previously initiated a motion to investigate the activities leading to NAFDAC’s ban, with the House Committee on NAFDAC, led by Hon. Regina Akume, conducting a thorough investigation and engaging various stakeholders.
The initial ban, which faced significant opposition, was part of NAFDAC’s efforts to address health concerns associated with the consumption of alcohol in sachets and plastic bottles.
Effective from January 31, 2024, the ban targeted the cheap and easily accessible nature of sachet alcohol, believed to contribute to excessive alcohol consumption and related health problems.
However, industry operators argued that the ban would lead to substantial economic losses and job cuts in the beverage sector, while civil society groups cited economic hardships for small-scale retailers and consumers.
Following these deliberations, the parliament adopted the House Committee’s report in its entirety, with a consensus to suspend the ban in light of prevailing economic conditions.
