Fake Drinks in Nigeria: 5 Ways to Protect Yourself as NAFDAC Uncovers Bottle Stockpile

General Top Stories
Kenechukwu Onah
October 23, 2026
16

Fake drinks in Nigeria remain a public health concern after the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) uncovered more than 100 sacks of empty alcoholic beverage bottles in a residential building in Lagos.

According to a report by The Punch, officials from NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate discovered the bottles at 322B Meiran Road, Agbado Oke-Odo, Lagos.

The bottles included different sizes and brands, including Action Bitter and Royal Circle Premium Whiskey. NAFDAC suspected that they were being stored for supply to counterfeit alcohol producers.

The agency said it acted on credible intelligence. Officials subsequently destroyed the recovered bottles to prevent them from being reused.

The discovery comes days after NAFDAC carried out another operation against suspected counterfeit drink production at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos. That operation involved alleged attempts to revalidate expired drinks and reuse packaging materials.

The latest discovery highlights a key challenge in tackling fake alcohol: counterfeiters may exploit familiar bottles and packaging to make suspicious products appear genuine.

However, the discovery of empty bottles does not mean that every bottle recovered contained fake alcohol. It also does not establish that a particular drink contained a specific poison.

Consumers can still take practical steps to reduce their exposure to counterfeit alcoholic products.

1. Check the seal before buying

Examine the cap and seal before purchasing a bottle of alcohol. A broken seal, loose cap or signs of tampering should raise concerns.

Also check whether the cap and neck appear consistent with the product’s usual packaging. Avoid drinks with damaged closures or evidence that the bottle may have been opened and resealed.

A convincing appearance alone is not proof that a product is genuine. Counterfeiters can reuse original bottles, which makes checking the seal only one part of the process.

2. Examine the label and product details

Look closely at the label, spelling, print quality and other identifying details. Blurred printing, unusual colours, spelling errors or poorly attached labels may indicate a problem.

Check the batch number, manufacturing information, expiry date where applicable, and NAFDAC registration details. If anything appears inconsistent, do not assume the drink is safe simply because it carries a familiar brand name.

Consumers can consult NAFDAC’s official website for regulatory information and guidance on reporting suspicious products.

3. Buy from trusted sellers

Where possible, purchase alcoholic drinks from established retailers, supermarkets and licensed outlets with traceable supply chains.

Buying from a familiar seller does not guarantee authenticity. However, it may make it easier to identify where a questionable product came from and report the transaction.

Be particularly cautious when buying drinks from informal sellers who cannot explain their source of supply.

4. Be cautious of unusually cheap drinks

A price far below the normal retail price can be a warning sign, especially when the seller cannot explain the discount.

Counterfeit products may enter the market through channels that bypass legitimate distributors. Suspiciously low prices can attract buyers who may not realise that the product’s authenticity is uncertain.

Still, price alone cannot establish whether a drink is fake. Consumers should consider the seller, packaging and product details together.

5. Do not taste a drink you suspect is fake

Never use taste or smell to determine whether a suspicious alcoholic drink is safe. Some harmful substances may not produce obvious changes in appearance, smell or flavour.

If a bottle appears tampered with or its authenticity is doubtful, do not consume it. Keep other people from drinking it and report the product to the appropriate authorities.

Anyone who develops symptoms after consuming a suspicious alcoholic drink should seek urgent medical attention and tell the healthcare provider what they consumed, if known.

What the latest discovery means for consumers

NAFDAC’s discovery of more than 100 sacks of empty alcohol bottles points to a potential supply route that could support counterfeit production. The agency’s destruction of the bottles was intended to prevent their reuse.

However, enforcement raids alone cannot eliminate the risks. Regulators must continue investigating supply networks, while retailers and consumers need to remain alert to suspicious products.

For consumers, the central lesson is simple: a familiar bottle or brand name is not enough to prove that an alcoholic drink is genuine. Checking packaging, choosing traceable sellers and reporting suspicious products can help reduce the risk of buying counterfeit alcohol.