See The List of Alcoholic Beverages Banned by NAFDAC

See the list of alcoholic beverages banned by NAFDAC to keep the public safe from unsafe and contaminated products. In Nigeria, where active social lifestyles are often combined with a liberal use of alcoholic beverages, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is extremely crucial in protecting the health of the people. The agency was established in 1993 to regulate the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and other regulated products. One of its key mandates is to check the spread of unsafe alcoholic drinks that have been known to herald serious health complications, addictiveness, and other vices among people.

Recently, as of November 2025, NAFDAC has enhanced its enforcement activities against certain alcoholic products that are considered hazardous. It is not an isolated issue but a systemic effort in ensuring that the nation’s vulnerable groups, such as youths, minors, and commercial drivers, are protected from easily accessible high-potency alcohol. In this post, we will consider the categories and names of the banned products, the reasons behind these measures, and what it means for both consumers and the industry.

The Major Ban: Alcoholic Beverages in Sachets, Pets and Small Bottles

Its key policy focuses on spirit drinks in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles of less than 200ml. The ban was first mooted in 2018 under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding between NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers, and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria.

Timeline of the Ban of alcoholic beverages in satchets, Pets and Small Bottles – Phase Date Key Actions

• Initial Agreement December 2018 Phased reduction of production; full phase-out targeted for January 2024. Producers agreed to cut output by 50% starting January 2020.
  
• Registration Halt January 2022 NAFDAC ceased registering new alcoholic drinks in sachets or small bottles above 30% ABV. Renewals for existing products capped at 2024.
  
• Enforcement Suspension & Extension February 2024 – May 2025 Initial enforcement led to protests over job losses, up to 500,000 jobs, and economic impacts. House of Representatives urged suspension; deadline extended to December 2025.
• Final Rule November 2025 Senate resolution requires full compliance by December 31, 2025. No further extensions; manufacture and sale prohibited starting January 1, 2026.

This is not a blanket ban on all types of alcohol-beer, wine, and larger-format spirits are not touched. It’s high-strength spirits, usually 30%+ ABV, in affordable and concealable packaging that encourages binge drinking.

Why the Ban? Health and Social Risks

According to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, these products are a “public health menace.” Here’s why:
Easy to access by minors and vulnerable groups: Sachets go for as low as ₦50–₦100; they are found everywhere at motor parks, schools, and kiosks. They are portable and easy to hide, fueling underage addiction.

High alcohol content means many exceed 30% ABV, causing intoxication to occur quite quickly. The World Health Organization links early alcohol exposure to higher risks of drug use, poor school performance, injuries, risky behaviors, and long-term health problems such as liver damage and cancer.

Social Consequences: Related to road accidents, for example, through drunk driving by commercial operators; domestic violence; school dropouts; and even wider security threats of banditry as addiction progresses among youth to harder substances.

Economic vs. Health Trade-Off:

The bans are not without controversy. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, warns of 500,000 job losses and billions in sunk investments, while advocating for alternatives like ID checks at licensed outlets and stricter enforcement over outright prohibition. Protests in 2024, including marches to the National Assembly, forced the suspension amidst tensions between economic livelihoods and public safety. Yet, supporters, including civil society and health experts, hail the determination of NAFDAC. The Senate’s directive in November 2025 is to ensure full implementation of the WHO Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol, which highlighted the need to protect the youth. Sensitization campaigns with the National Orientation Agency are being intensified in a move to raise awareness about the risks.

While manufacturers argue that the ban endangers billions in investments and jobs, the response from NAFDAC has been, “We cannot sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians for short-term economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth.”

Enforcement has already started: In December 2024, NAFDAC raided markets in Abuja, Delta, Ebonyi, and Port Harcourt, seizing products worth over ₦52 million in one operation. Security agencies are collaborating for compliance across the country.

Specific Banned Products: Unsafe and Adulterated Drinks

Besides packaging, NAFDAC frequently issues alerts on substandard, falsified, or adulterated alcoholic beverages that fail safety tests. These often contain contaminants such as methanol-toxic industrial alcohol, excess ethanol, or even cannabis-that create immediate dangers like organ failure or death. Public Alert No. 37/2025 from NAFDAC flagged some adulterated bitters following the death of mice in just 5 minutes after exposure to lab tests, and they are:

• Japata Alcoholic Bitters 100ml (all variants) Chigodson International Company Limited (No. 15, Ajegunle Street, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State) Adulterated with cannabis; alcohol content double the registered level; failed lab tests (lethal to test animals). Severe toxicity, hallucinations, organ damage, death.
• BOP-Daddy Ginger Liquor 200ml Not specified Substandard and unsafe because of high contaminant levels. Acute poisoning, liver/kidney failure.
• Cork & Shoot Alcoholic Bitters 100ml Undeclared Counterfeit product; contains excessive amount of ethanol. Serious risk of intoxication, breathing problems.
• One Core Alcoholic Bitters Drink 100ml Not specified Adulterated; contains undeclared harmful substances. Neurological damage, addiction escalation.
• For details see NAFDAC Public Notice Alert Number 027/2022

These products, though previously registered, had been altered after approval, in violation of standards set by NAFDAC. Consumers are encouraged to report sightings via the NAFDAC toll-free line – 0800-162-3322 or via the NAFDAC App.

“NAFDAC implores distributors, retailers, the public to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid consumption, sale, distribution of the products listed above and report if found to the nearest NAFDAC office. Adverse reaction experienced from the use of any of the products should be reported via  NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 or 0800-1-623322) TOLL FREE from all networks) or [email protected] or e-Reporting platform available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng“

Tips for Safe Consumption

Check the Packaging: Avoid sachets or bottles under 200ml for spirits. The labels should have a NAFDAC registration number starting with “A10”. Purchase from Licensed Sellers: Buy only from licensed sellers; avoid street peddlers and unverified Internet sellers. Check Authenticity: Holograms, batch numbers, and expiry dates are a feature of genuine products. Report fakes immediately. Moderation is the Key: As per WHO data for 2014, Nigeria ranks 27th in adult alcohol consumption. Limit intake to reduce risks.