Rwanda FDA closes more than 100 facilities in illicit alcohol crackdown

The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has ordered the closure of 101 facilities involved in the production of illicit alcoholic beverages and revoked their manufacturing licences as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on dangerous alcohol.

The regulator also ordered the withdrawal from the market of all alcoholic products manufactured by the affected facilities, warning consumers to immediately stop consuming the designated products.

In a public notice issued on August 3, Rwanda FDA said the facilities were identified through regulatory inspections and compliance assessments.

Manufacturers have been ordered to immediately initiate a full recall of their products, while distributors must recall affected products from clients and return existing and recalled stock to manufacturers.

Manufacturers have been given three working days to submit recall reports to Rwanda FDA. Distributors and retailers have also been directed to immediately stop selling or distributing the affected products and return remaining stock to their suppliers or manufacturers.

The latest action comes a day after Rwanda FDA closed eight distilleries and revoked their licences over public health concerns linked to illicit alcohol production.

The crackdown follows reports of serious health consequences associated with contaminated and illicit alcoholic beverages. Health Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana said more than 500 people have received medical treatment this year after consuming illicit alcohol, with about 50 deaths reported and more than 100 people losing their eyesight.

In Bugesera District alone, 18 people reportedly died on the same day after consuming illicit alcohol, according to the minister.

Meanwhile, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) said on August 2 that more than 50 people had been arrested in connection with the production and distribution of illicit alcohol, with investigations still ongoing.

RIB officials said investigations had uncovered several violations, including production without licences, the use of prohibited chemicals, expired licences, poor hygiene and concealed production sites.

Methanol, a highly toxic chemical, was among the substances identified during investigations. Authorities have warned that its consumption can cause blindness or death.

RIB has also described illicit alcohol as a security concern, linking its consumption to crimes including assault, domestic violence and road traffic crashes.

Rwanda FDA said the enforcement exercise is ongoing and that another list of affected manufacturing facilities will be issued in due course.

The authority warned that failure to comply with the recall and closure directives will attract enforcement measures under applicable regulatory provisions.

By Prince Ruzigana