By KEMI AKINTOKUN

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says a nationwide mop-up exercise to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from circulation has started.

The agency In a statement on Wednesday said the enforcement reinforced the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation and sale of sachet alcohol in the country.

According to it, the nationwide enforcement operation is holding in the six geopolitical zones and follows the closure of manufacturing facilities found to have violated the ban.

NAFDAC said its enforcement teams were conducting coordinated operations in markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars and other distribution channels to identify, seize and destroy affected products.

It advised manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers and transporters to voluntarily surrender any remaining stock of the banned alcoholic beverages.

It also warned that continued possession or sale of the affected products would attract seizure, regulatory sanctions and prosecution.

“The enforcement operations across the country will not be a one-off operation but part of a sustained enforcement and public education campaign.

“This campaign is aimed at ridding Nigeria of harmful alcohol products, protecting children and adolescents, and promoting responsible alcohol consumption among adults,” it said.

It stated further said that the nationwide exercise underscored its commitment to protecting public health by reducing underage drinking, harmful alcohol consumption and substance abuse among children and young people.

The agency clarified that the enforcement was not directed at compliant manufacturers operating within approved pack-size thresholds.

It said the exercise was targeted at eliminating products that pose significant public health risks.

NAFDAC called on Nigerians to support the exercise by reporting anyone producing, stocking or selling the banned sachet and below-200ml PET-bottle alcoholic beverages.

The agency also urged the public to avoid patronising the banned products, describing them as unregistered, unsafe and illegal.

It further appealed to Nigerians to work collectively to safeguard communities and future generations. (NAN)