Business
Rwanda suspends 10 Ugandan alcoholic brands
The Rwanda FDA warned that additional alcoholic products could be added to the recall list as regulatory enforcement continues.
(File photo)
By: John Musenze, Journalist @New Vision
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The Rwandan government has temporarily suspended the importation of 10 Ugandan alcoholic beverages and ordered their immediate recall from the market as part of a wider crackdown on alcoholic products over what they described as public health concerns.
In a public notice issued on August 5, the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) announced the suspension of 52 alcoholic beverages imported from six countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, India and Poland.
The affected Ugandan products include Bond 7 Whisky, Gilbey's Flavoured Gin, V&A Imported Cream Liqueur, Campfire Gin, Club 5 Gin, Tembo Liqueur, X5 Gin, Jonney's Gin, X5 Liqueur, Pan Master Whisky and X5 Whisky.
Uganda Breweries Limited, John Distillers Uganda Limited and Glorrie Industries Limited manufacture the products.
Although the Rwanda FDA said the action was taken to protect public health under the country's food and drug regulatory framework, it did not disclose the specific reasons for the suspension or indicate whether laboratory tests had identified any safety or quality concerns.
"The suspension takes immediate effect," the statement said. The authority directed importers to recall all affected products from the Rwandan market and submit recall reports within three working days.
Although the Rwanda FDA said the action was taken to protect public health under the country's food and drug regulatory framework, it did not disclose the specific reasons for the suspension or indicate whether laboratory tests had identified any safety or quality concerns.
"The suspension takes immediate effect," the statement said. The authority directed importers to recall all affected products from the Rwandan market and submit recall reports within three working days.
Importers have also been instructed to work with distributors to retrieve the products from retailers and consumers, while distributors and retailers must immediately stop selling or distributing the listed alcoholic beverages.
The regulator further advised consumers to stop taking the affected products and ordered the removal of all advertisements and promotional materials related to the suspended brands.
"The suspension of importation takes immediate effect. Importers are required to initiate an immediate recall of the listed products from the market and submit recall reports within three working days," the authority said in the notice.
The Rwanda FDA warned that additional alcoholic products could be added to the recall list as regulatory enforcement continues.
By the time of this publication, New Vision online had contacted several brand manufacturers, but they were yet to comment on the development.
The regulator further advised consumers to stop taking the affected products and ordered the removal of all advertisements and promotional materials related to the suspended brands.
"The suspension of importation takes immediate effect. Importers are required to initiate an immediate recall of the listed products from the market and submit recall reports within three working days," the authority said in the notice.
The Rwanda FDA warned that additional alcoholic products could be added to the recall list as regulatory enforcement continues.
By the time of this publication, New Vision online had contacted several brand manufacturers, but they were yet to comment on the development.