The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has temporarily suspended the importation of certain alcoholic beverages amid a nationwide crackdown on products considered a threat to public health. In a public announcement on Wednesday, August 5, Rwanda FDA said the suspension takes “immediate effect” and applies to 52 alcoholic beverages imported from different countries mainly from Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and India. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. pic.twitter.com/MkUH7xSiXR — Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (@RwandaFDA) August 5, 2026 ALSO READ: Over 130 companies closed as crackdown on illicit alcohol widens The regulator said the decision was taken “in the interest of public health.” “Rwanda FDA informs all importers, distributors, retailers and the general public that importation of alcoholic beverages listed is temporarily suspended with immediate effect,” the announcement with a list of alcoholic beverages reads in part. The regulator has ordered importers to immediately initiate a full recall of the affected products. It also instructed importers to request their respective distributors “to recall the listed products from their clients” and “to return current stock and recalled products to the importers.” ALSO READ: Products worth Rwf2.6bn seized as crackdown on illicit alcohol widens This is the first time authorities react on imported alcoholic products since the crackdown on illicit alcoholic beverages. Over 130 manufacturing companies closed and hundreds of drinks were recalled. “Rwanda FDA instructs importers to submit recall reports within 3 working days from the publication of this announcement,” the notice says. Distributors and retailers have also been ordered to immediately stop selling and distributing the affected products. The authority instructed them to “immediately stop their distribution and sale, and return the remaining quantities to their importers with immediate effect.” Consumers have also been warned against consuming the affected beverages. No adverts for suspended products The suspension extends beyond the products themselves, with Rwanda FDA ordering the removal of promotional materials associated with the affected alcoholic beverages. All advertisements and promotional material for the affected alcoholic beverages must be immediately removed from wherever they are displayed, the announcement says. “Non-compliance with all the above will result in measures under applicable regulatory provisions,” it said. More products could be affected The latest action comes as authorities intensify measures against illicit and non-compliant alcoholic beverages following reports of deaths and serious health complications linked to their consumption. Health Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana recently said more than 50 people had died since the beginning of 2026, while more than 100 others had lost their sight after consuming illicit alcoholic beverages. More than 500 people had also sought medical attention. Over 60 people were arrested over producing and distributing illicit alcoholic berverages, according to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB). Rwanda FDA has already announced the closure of a number of alcoholic beverage manufacturing facilities and revoked their associated manufacturing licences as part of the ongoing enforcement campaign. “A list of other concerned products will be issued in due course as regulatory enforcement continues,” it said. More products lose S-Mark Meanwhile, Rwanda Standards Bureau (RSB) on August 5, ordered the withdrawal of standardisation makrt for over 15 alcoholic beverages . It prohibited the use of the S-Mark on products manufactured by the companies listed in its announcement and ordered the manufacturers to instruct distributors to recall the affected products to their factory warehouses and remove them from the market. This comes a day after RBA ordered the withdrawal of quality S-Mark for products from 45 alcoholic beverage manufacturers. RSB warned that those who fail to implement the directives will face the law. The standards body said the crackdown would continue, adding that a list of other manufacturing facilities would be shared in due course.
