Rwanda FDA shuts down eight alcohol manufacturers, orders nationwide recall of product recall over safety concerns

RWANDA – The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has ordered the immediate closure of eight alcoholic beverage manufacturing facilities, revoked their operating licences and initiated a nationwide recall of their products over concerns related to public health and regulatory compliance. 

In a public notice issued on August 2, the regulator said the action followed a series of inspections and compliance assessments conducted under the law establishing the Rwanda FDA. 

“Following regulatory inspections and compliance assessments; in the interest of public health, Rwanda FDA informs all manufacturers, distributors, retailers and the general public of the following regulatory actions are in effect immediately,” the authority said. 

The affected companies are Ingufu Gin Ltd, NBG Ltd, 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 also ordered the withdrawal of all alcoholic beverages produced by the companies, including a wide range of gins, whiskies, vodkas, rum, brandy, liqueurs and potable spirits. 

Among the recalled products are 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 produced by Ingufu Gin Ltd. 

Products manufactured by NBG Ltd include United Flavoured Gin, Bombastic Coconut Flavoured Gin, Ingwe Flavoured Gin, Amerikaan Flavoured Gin, Maguma Gin and Fimbo Blended Banana Brandy. 

The regulator also recalled Saint Nero Gin, Saint Nero Honey Based Liqueur, Nobilis Gutta Gin, Veritas Gin, Inkoramutima Ginger Flavoured Alcoholic Drinks and Itoto Ginger Flavoured Alcoholic Drinks manufactured by SKY Drop Industries Ltd. 

Other affected products include African Buffalo Gin, Charging Whiskey, Moonlight Vodka, Mastercane Whisky, Trace Vodka, Rea Waragi, ENAK Gin, LEVI Gin, SAVIS Gin, Be One Gin, Hope Man Gin, Meet Up Gin, RACK Gin, RACK Banana Based Alcoholic Beverage, Z.C.N Milestone Whisky and JUMONGO. 

The regulator emphasised that the directive extends to all products manufactured by the affected facilities, including brands not specifically listed in the announcement. 

Manufacturers have been instructed to immediately begin product recalls and ensure distributors return existing inventories to production sites. They have also been given three working days to submit recall reports. 

The authority warned that failure to comply would lead to enforcement measures under applicable laws and urged consumers to stop using the affected products immediately. 

Rwanda FDA added that investigations are continuing, stating that “a list of other concerned manufacturing facilities will be issued in due course as regulatory enforcement continues.” 

The announcement follows the regulator’s recent decision to revoke all ethanol import licences as part of a broader effort to combat unsafe alcohol production and distribution across the country. 

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.