NAFDAC Seals Three Distilleries Over Production of Banned Sachet Alcohol in Ogun State

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed three manufacturing facilities in Ogun State for allegedly producing banned alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below the approved 200ml threshold.
The affected companies are Intercontinental Distilleries Ltd., Shashi Distillery Ltd., and an undisclosed factory linked to Nigeria Distillery Ltd. The enforcement exercise was carried out in the Sango-Ota and Idi-Iroko axis of Ogun State as part of the second phase of NAFDAC’s nationwide crackdown on the production and distribution of prohibited alcoholic drinks.

Speaking during the operation, the Assistant Director of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr. Kunle Ojo, disclosed that the agency initially inspected Nigeria Distillery Ltd. along Idi-Iroko Road but found no evidence of illegal production. However, following credible intelligence received on July 24, enforcement officers uncovered another production facility allegedly operated by the company where banned products were being manufactured.

According to Ojo, inspectors discovered large quantities of 100ml alcoholic bottles, sachet packaging materials, and active production lines manufacturing prohibited sachet alcohol. He also alleged that some items earlier discovered during a previous inspection had been removed from the facility after it was sealed, describing the development as a serious violation that would attract administrative action.

The NAFDAC official further revealed that the agency had earlier visited Intercontinental Distilleries and Shashi Distillery in January, where it halted 22 machines used for sachet alcohol production and evacuated prohibited packaging materials. However, a follow-up inspection conducted on July 24 allegedly revealed that the companies had resumed the production of banned alcoholic beverages, prompting the agency to seal the factories.

NAFDAC reiterated that the ongoing enforcement is in line with the Federal Government’s ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, a policy aimed at curbing underage drinking, harmful alcohol consumption, and substance abuse across the country. The agency stressed that the nationwide operation would continue, warning manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other stakeholders to comply fully with the directive or face regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.

The agency also appealed to members of the public to support the enforcement campaign by reporting any individual or company involved in the production, distribution, or sale of banned alcoholic beverages to the nearest NAFDAC office. �