LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has teamed up with the Ogun State Police Command to intensify enforcement against the sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets or PET bottles below 200ml across the state.
The move is part of efforts to protect public health and reduce easy access to cheap, highly portable alcoholic drinks, particularly among children and young people.
The State Coordinator of NAFDAC Ogun Office 1, Akinwale Fagoroye, led a delegation to the police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, where the team met with the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni.
Fagoroye said the enforcement exercise, which started in Abeokuta, would be extended to other parts of the state until full compliance is achieved.
“The enforcement exercise, which commenced in Abeokuta, is being extended to other parts of Ogun State and will continue until full compliance is achieved,” he said.
Under the exercise, NAFDAC teams are removing alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml (20cl) from circulation.
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Notably, enforcement officers are conducting checks at markets, motor parks, shops, bars, warehouses, factories and other locations where regulated products are manufactured, stored or sold.
The agency is also within its authority to take action against fake, unregistered, substandard, adulterated, expired or wrongly labelled products, as well as facilities operating without the required approvals.
Fagoroye urged manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers to comply with the regulations and cooperate with enforcement officials.
In response, Ojajuni assured NAFDAC of the police command’s continued support during lawful enforcement operations.
“The Police and NAFDAC will continue to work together, within their respective mandates, to ensure compliance with the law and protect residents from activities and products that may pose risks to their health and safety,” Ojajuni stated.
The police commissioner added that officers were also enforcing the Liquor Act and other laws governing the sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks in Ogun.
He urged businesses and consumers to follow the relevant regulations and encouraged residents to report suspected fake, unsafe or unapproved products, as well as illegal alcohol-related activities, to the appropriate authorities.
The joint enforcement is expected to continue across Ogun State as authorities push for greater compliance with regulations designed to protect public health and safety.
