For Those Producing Non‑Alcoholic Drinks, Rwanda National Police Says “We Are Coming Too”

This Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Rwanda National Police has warned all producers of food and beverages on the market to carefully check the quality of their products to avoid being caught off guard.

Crackdown Extends Beyond Alcohol

Police leadership explained that after recent crackdowns on substandard alcoholic drinks, they have also received reports of many food and beverage products on the market that do not meet required standards. Police spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said quality control will not stop at alcoholic drinks, but all products will be monitored to ensure the food and beverage market is safe, reliable, and free from harmful effects.

He made the remarks on Thursday during a press briefing where 18 people were presented, including employees of Rwanda FDA, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), and local officials, all accused of crimes related to substandard alcohol that harmed citizens’ health.

Warning to Producers and Traders

The spokesperson stressed that anyone involved in producing or selling food and beverages should take the crackdown on substandard alcohol as a lesson. He said: “Anyone selling food or drinks should take this as an opportunity to review their practices. Correct what is not up to standard, improve what is poorly done, so that when we arrive, we find everything in order. Tomorrow no one should claim they were not warned.”

He added: “This is the responsibility of every trader to ensure the safety of consumers of their food and drinks.”

ACP Rutikanga emphasized that anyone producing items consumed by people, whether in factories or small businesses, must reassess their quality standards. He said: “We are receiving many reports of food and drinks on the market that may not meet standards. People should not be careless. They should use this crackdown as a reminder to check their products and ensure they meet requirements.”

Hygiene and Enforcement

He concluded: “It will not end with alcoholic drinks alone. All products will be monitored so that the food and beverage market is safe, reliable, and free from harmful effects.”

He also noted that regarding poor hygiene, Police will not wait for Rwanda FDA or RSB to intervene first, but will immediately close down facilities, as they will no longer tolerate people falling sick or dying due to unhygienic conditions