Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
OGUN, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down three factories in Ogun State for allegedly continuing to produce banned alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, despite the Federal Government’s prohibition.
The enforcement operation, carried out in Sango-Ota and Idi-Iroko, targeted Intercontinental Distilleries Ltd., Shashi Distillery Ltd. and another facility linked to Nigeria Distillery Ltd. The action forms part of NAFDAC’s nationwide crackdown on prohibited alcoholic beverages following the full implementation of the ban in January.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Assistant Director of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kunle Ojo, said intelligence gathered during the agency’s second phase of enforcement led officials to a facility allegedly linked to Nigeria Distillery Ltd., where they discovered production lines, sachet packaging materials and large quantities of alcoholic drinks packaged in prohibited 100ml bottles.
Ojo said enforcement officers later returned to secure the premises but found that some of the products and packaging materials earlier discovered had been removed. He described the development as a serious breach that would attract administrative sanctions. He also recalled that NAFDAC had ordered Intercontinental Distilleries and Shashi Distillery in January to stop using 22 production machines dedicated to sachet alcohol production and had confiscated prohibited packaging materials.
However, fresh inspections conducted on 24 July revealed that the companies had allegedly resumed production using the same equipment, prompting the agency to seal the factories. Ojo said NAFDAC would sustain nationwide enforcement to eliminate banned alcoholic drinks from the market and protect public health.
He urged members of the public to report the illegal production or sale of prohibited alcoholic beverages to the nearest NAFDAC office, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to enforcing regulations aimed at reducing alcohol abuse and safeguarding consumers.
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Abah Felicity 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Korede Abdullah 