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The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has ordered the immediate recall of more than 20 alcohol brands after shutting down 12 manufacturing facilities as part of an ongoing crackdown on substandard and illicit alcoholic beverages.
The latest enforcement measures, announced on August 6, affected 12 companies and 22 products. The crackdown, which began on August 2, has so far resulted in the closure of more than 140 companies and the recall of hundreds of alcohol brands.
Rwanda FDA said the measures were taken in the interest of public health and took effect immediately.
Under the directive, the regulator ordered the closure of the affected manufacturing facilities and revoked all associated manufacturing licences.
“Rwanda FDA instructs manufacturers to immediately initiate a full recall of these products,” the authority said in its notice.
Manufacturers were also directed to instruct distributors to recall the affected products from their clients and return all existing and recalled stock to the manufacturers’ premises.
The regulator said manufacturers must submit detailed recall reports within three working days.
It warned that failure to comply with the directives would attract regulatory sanctions.
Over the past six days, authorities have intensified enforcement operations and urged consumers to immediately stop consuming products manufactured by the affected companies.
They have also ordered the removal of advertisements and promotional materials for the recalled alcoholic beverages.
Unprecedented Crackdown
The latest recall represents another phase of what authorities have described as an unprecedented crackdown on illicit alcoholic beverages across Rwanda.
Rwanda FDA has been closing facilities suspected of producing illicit alcoholic drinks, revoking manufacturing licences and ordering nationwide recalls of affected products.
The Rwanda Standards Board has also withdrawn the S-Mark quality certification from products manufactured by more than 50 alcoholic beverage companies.
The affected manufacturers have been ordered to recall the products from distributors and remove them from the market.
The crackdown followed growing health concerns linked to the consumption of illicit and unsafe alcoholic beverages.
Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, said more than 50 people had died since the beginning of 2026 after consuming unsafe alcoholic drinks.
He added that more than 100 people had lost their sight, while over 500 others had sought medical treatment following consumption of the products.
The Rwanda Investigations Bureau also reported that more than 60 people had been arrested over the production and distribution of illicit alcoholic beverages.
Authorities said products worth 2.6 billion Rwandan francs had been seized, while more than 360 million Rwandan francs had been imposed in fines.
Inspections and enforcement operations are continuing across the country, with authorities warning that additional manufacturing facilities and affected products could be identified in the coming days.
