Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has intensified its crackdown on alcoholic beverages that fail to meet regulatory requirements, shutting down eight production facilities and ordering the immediate withdrawal of their products from the market.
The affected companies include Ingufu Gin Ltd and NBG Ltd, among others, whose alcoholic beverages have been ordered removed from shops and distribution channels across the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Rwanda FDA said the decision followed inspections conducted among alcoholic beverage manufacturers, distributors and retailers to assess compliance with laws and standards governing the production and sale of beverages.
The regulator said the affected companies had their licences revoked and were instructed to begin collecting all their products already distributed on the market.
“Distributors and retailers are required to immediately stop selling these products and return them to the suppliers or manufacturers,” Rwanda FDA said.
Among the companies affected is Ingufu Gin Ltd, which produced beverages including Red Waragi, Rabiant Gin, Ngufu Gin, King’s Vodka, Royal Castle Gin, Medal Gin, G&S Rum, New House Potable Spirit, Club Potable Spirit and Hometown Potable Spirit.
NBG Ltd, another company affected by the decision, produced United Flavored Gin, Bombastic Coconut Flavored Gin, Ingwe Flavored Gin, Amerikan Flavored Gin, Maguma Gin and Fimbo Blended Banana Brandy.
Other companies whose operations were suspended include SKY Drop Industries Ltd, Africana Buffalo Ltd, NOPA Company Ltd, Roots Investment Group Ltd, Rugali Agro-processing Company and Zhonglu Industrial Liability Company Ltd.
Rwanda FDA urged consumers to stop using products manufactured by the affected companies until further notice, warning that continued production or sale of non-compliant alcoholic beverages could lead to legal consequences.
The authority said inspections of alcoholic beverages and other regulated products are continuing across the country, adding that more companies could face similar measures if they are found violating safety and quality requirements.
Rwanda FDA said the actions are aimed at protecting public health and ensuring that products available to consumers meet required safety standards.
The latest crackdown comes shortly after the regulator suspended all permits for importing ethanol (neutral spirit) and halted the processing of new applications for ethanol importation.
Authorities have recently intensified efforts to address concerns over unsafe alcoholic drinks, which have been linked to serious health risks, including cases of poisoning and other complications among consumers.
