KEBS clears five Kenyan alcohol brands suspended by Rwanda FDA after fresh tests
Fresh inspections and laboratory analyses by KEBS found the five Kenyan alcoholic beverage brands compliant with applicable safety and quality standards.
KENYA – The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has cleared five Kenyan alcoholic beverage brands temporarily suspended by the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA), saying fresh laboratory tests confirmed their compliance with applicable safety and quality standards.
Rwanda FDA announced the temporary suspension of selected alcoholic beverages on August 5, 2026, including five products manufactured in Kenya.
The affected products are Kenya King Gin and Safari Gin, manufactured by London Distillers Kenya Ltd; Avalon and Sweet Berry Potable Spirits, manufactured by Zheng Hong (K) Ltd; and Gilbey’s Gin, manufactured by Kenya Breweries Ltd.
KEBS said the products had previously undergone conformity assessments, factory inspections, market surveillance and laboratory testing and had been certified to comply with Kenyan and East African standards.
The products carry valid Standardization Marks and are certified against requirements covering composition, alcohol content, methanol limits, higher alcohols, esters, volatile acids, packaging, labelling and consumer safety.
Following the Rwanda FDA announcement, KEBS said it immediately launched a comprehensive review of the affected products. The review examined certification records, quality assurance reports, market surveillance findings, factory inspection reports and laboratory results.
The Bureau also consulted the affected manufacturers, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, standards agencies in other East African Community (EAC) Partner States and the EAC Quality Assurance and Testing Sub-committee.
KEBS said historical laboratory reports covering ethyl alcohol content, methanol, higher alcohols, esters, aldehydes and volatile acids showed that all five products complied with relevant standards at the time of certification and surveillance.
The standards cited include KS EAS 145:2018 on Gin Specification, KS EAS 142:2018 on Vodka Specification and KS EAS 109:2018 on Potable Spirit Specification.
As part of further verification, KEBS conducted targeted inspections of the five manufacturing facilities between August 7 and 10 and collected fresh samples for independent laboratory analysis.
The inspections covered manufacturing processes, quality management systems, process controls, product traceability, hygiene and sanitation, packaging, labelling and Good Manufacturing Practices.
KEBS said the fresh laboratory tests confirmed that the products complied with applicable standards, including limits for alcohol content, methanol, higher alcohols, esters, aldehydes and volatile acids. The manufacturing facilities were also found to be operating in compliance with applicable quality, safety and regulatory requirements.
“KEBS remains confident in the robustness of its conformity assessment systems,” the Bureau said, reaffirming its commitment to consumer protection, fair trade and confidence in Kenyan products across the region.
KEBS said it was engaging Rwanda FDA and other regional regulatory bodies to establish the basis for the suspension and pursue a technical resolution through established EAC mechanisms.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
