The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns over the widespread availability and consumption of alcohol sold in sachets and very small containers, saying the situation had become difficult to control.
NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
Adeyeye linked indiscriminate alcohol consumption to serious social problems, including banditry, while also warning about the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption on vital organs such as the brain, kidneys and liver.
According to her, the sale of alcohol in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles was approved many years ago but eventually became difficult for regulators to control because of its widespread availability.
She explained that the development contributed to NAFDAC’s decision to enforce restrictions on alcoholic drinks packaged in containers below 200 millilitres.
The NAFDAC boss acknowledged that the restriction had attracted opposition from some members of the public and other stakeholders. However, she said the agency remained concerned about the long-term consequences of widespread access to small-sized alcoholic drinks, particularly among young Nigerians.
Adeyeye stressed that NAFDAC’s position was driven by concerns over public health and the wellbeing of children and young people.
She also warned that alcohol abuse should not be viewed solely as a health issue, arguing that excessive consumption could have wider consequences for individuals and society.
The agency has continued to defend its restrictions on small-sized alcoholic beverages despite the controversy surrounding the policy.
Adeyeye said the government’s responsibility was to protect public health and safeguard future generations, adding that the concerns raised by Nigerians about the impact of alcohol availability on young people could not be ignored.
