Prohibition of Sachet Alcohol Could Backfire, MAN Warns

 

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has raised concerns over the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC) recent clampdown on sachet and small-volume alcoholic beverages, warning that an outright ban could trigger unintended economic consequences without effectively curbing underage drinking.

MAN’s Director-General, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, sounded the alarm during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, describing a total prohibition on sachet alcohol as a “blunt regulatory approach” that risks harming legitimate businesses and low-income consumers.

While acknowledging the growing concerns over alcohol consumption among minors, Ajayi-Kadir argued that the real issue lies in misuse and access, rather than the packaging itself. He noted that sachet packaging is a widely accepted business model across multiple consumer goods sectors, designed to make products affordable for lower-income households.

“Sachet production is a business model that has been used and is still being used in many products,” he said. “You have milk and several other consumables in sachets to reach low-budget consumers.”

Ajayi-Kadir stressed that MAN supports measures aimed at restricting alcohol access to minors but warned that outright bans could undermine jobs, investments, and the supply chains linked to the fast-moving consumer goods sector.

The MAN boss disclosed that manufacturers are already collaborating with regulatory agencies, including NAFDAC, to strengthen safeguards against underage consumption.

“If sachet alcohol ends up in the hands of the wrong people, the solution is targeted measures, not prohibition. We are already taking steps, sometimes in collaboration with NAFDAC, to keep it away from children and those not supposed to consume it,” he said.

He further highlighted global best practices, noting that successful strategies to tackle underage drinking focus on controlled access and enforcement rather than total bans.

“All over the world, alcohol consumption by minors is a concern, and the recommended solution is restriction of access,” Ajayi-Kadir said. “I am surprised that NAFDAC seems ready to adopt a measure that may bring unintended consequences.”

The MAN chief urged regulatory agencies to adopt collaborative and proportionate approaches in addressing public health concerns, stressing that engagement with industry stakeholders is critical for effective and sustainable outcomes.

“Regulatory agencies are established to work with stakeholders to identify risks and implement balanced solutions,” he added, emphasizing that policy tools should be carefully applied to avoid collateral damage to businesses and consumers alike.