Better Regulation, Not Prohibition, Needed For Sachet Alcohol — MAN

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that enforcement actions by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) against sachet and small-volume alcoholic beverages could result in unintended economic consequences without effectively addressing underage drinking.

MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, raised the concern during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, arguing that an outright ban on sachet alcohol represents a blunt regulatory approach that risks harming legitimate businesses and low-income consumers.

While acknowledging growing concerns over alcohol consumption by minors, Ajayi-Kadir said the association believes the core challenge lies in misuse and access, rather than the packaging format itself. He stressed that sachet packaging is a widely accepted business model used across several consumer goods sectors to make products affordable and accessible.

“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.”

According to him, MAN supports measures aimed at restricting access to alcohol by minors but cautioned that prohibition could undermine jobs, investments and supply chains linked to the fast-moving consumer goods sector.

He noted that manufacturers have already been collaborating with regulators, including NAFDAC, to strengthen safeguards against underage consumption.

“If sachet alcohol ends up in the hands of the wrong people, what we should do is take measures, and we are already taking measures, sometimes in conjunction with NAFDAC, to keep it away from children and those not supposed to consume it,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

He added that global best practices in tackling underage drinking focus on access control and enforcement, rather than outright bans.

Ajayi-Kadir expressed concern that sweeping prohibitions could fail to resolve the underlying problem while creating new challenges for the economy.

“All over the world, there are concerns about alcohol consumption by children, and the solution identified is restriction of access,” he said.

“I am surprised that what NAFDAC is ready and quick to do is something that will bring unintended consequences.”
Ajayi-Kadir further urged regulatory agencies to adopt collaborative and proportionate approaches when addressing public health concerns, noting that engagement with industry stakeholders is critical to achieving effective and sustainable outcomes.

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