The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has contradicted assertions made by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regarding the recent enforcement of the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages, claiming it was not a collective decision.

During a press conference in Lagos on Friday, MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, maintained that members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, a subset of MAN, had consistently expressed reservations about the planned ban implementation.

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NAFDAC, in a statement released on Thursday, reiterated that the ban, affecting alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET and glass bottles under 200ml, was collectively recommended.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that the ban was part of a phased-out plan initiated in January 2019, culminating on January 31, 2024, aiming to curb irresponsible alcohol consumption.

Ajayi-Kadir refuted NAFDAC’s assertion, stating that despite earlier objections, the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria participated in drafting a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2018.

The memorandum, signed by various stakeholders, aimed to address concerns and promote responsible alcohol consumption through advocacy and education.

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MAN’s Director-General argued that the ban’s implementation overlooked its potential adverse effects on manufacturers, workers, citizens, and the economy.

He contended that prohibiting smaller-sized beverages could lead to increased consumption of larger portions, undermining the ban’s intended purpose.

Ajayi-Kadir urged NAFDAC to collaborate with industry stakeholders to combat underage drinking and enforce regulations effectively.