RUSAGARA MUVUNANKIKO Valens
The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has ordered the immediate closure of eight alcoholic beverage manufacturing facilities and revoked their manufacturing licences following regulatory inspections and compliance assessments. The decision, announced on August 2, is aimed at safeguarding public health and takes immediate effect.
In a public announcement, Rwanda FDA said the action was taken pursuant to Law No. 003/2018 of 09/02/2018, which establishes the Authority and empowers it to regulate food, medicines and related products in Rwanda.
“In the interest of public health, Rwanda FDA informs all manufacturers, distributors, retailers and the general public of the following regulatory actions that are in effect immediately,” the statement reads.
The Authority ordered that all alcoholic beverages produced by the affected manufacturers be withdrawn from the market without delay. Manufacturers have been instructed to initiate a full product recall, notify their distributors to retrieve the products from clients, and return all recalled stock to their manufacturing facilities. Rwanda FDA also directed the companies to submit recall reports within three working days.
The eight affected companies are Ingufu Gin Ltd, NBG Ltd, SKV Drop Industries Ltd, Africana Buffalo Ltd, NOPA Company Ltd, Roots Investment Group Ltd, Rugali Agro-processing Company, and Zhonglu Industrial Liability Company Ltd. Products affected by the recall include several brands of gin, vodka, whisky, waragi, rum, banana brandy and other alcoholic beverages produced by these companies.
Rwanda FDA further instructed all distributors and retailers to immediately stop distributing and selling the listed products and to return all remaining stock to their suppliers or manufacturers.
“Rwanda FDA instructs all distributors and retailers of the products listed in Annex I to immediately stop their distribution and sale, and return the remaining quantities to their suppliers/distributors/manufacturers with immediate effect,” the Authority said.
Consumers have also been advised to stop consuming all alcoholic beverages produced by the listed manufacturers while the regulatory action remains in force.
“Rwanda FDA calls on consumers to immediately stop consumption of the products listed in Annex I,” the statement adds.
The regulator warned that failure to comply with the directives will result in enforcement measures under the applicable laws and regulations. It also noted that the list released on August 2 is not exhaustive, indicating that additional manufacturing facilities could be affected as inspections and regulatory enforcement continue.
“A list of other concerned manufacturing facilities will be issued in due course as regulatory enforcement continues,” Rwanda FDA said.
The latest action underscores Rwanda FDA’s continued efforts to strengthen compliance within the alcoholic beverage industry and protect consumers from products that fail to meet the country’s regulatory requirements.
