DR Congo's competition regulator has ordered the closure of a Kinshasa-based beverage manufacturer after laboratory tests found an unauthorized pharmaceutical compound in two of its energy drinks.
The Commission de la concurrence (Comco) said on April 27, 2026, that it had shut down the factory operated by Revin SARL in Kinshasa’s Limete district, in coordination with the Autorité congolaise de réglementation pharmaceutique (Acorep).
Laboratory tests found sildenafil, a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, in energy drinks sold under the names "Power Plus" and "Mutu Rouge," Comco said.
The substance was not listed on the label and was detected at toxic levels. Health authorities warned that consuming the drinks could expose users to serious risks, including potentially fatal cardiovascular complications.
Authorities told the public to stop consuming the products immediately and ordered their withdrawal from the market. They also urged people to report any vendors still selling them.
Comco said a judicial investigation was underway to determine who introduced and sold the substance.
The factory closure was carried out under Decree No. 25/032 of October 10, 2025, which sets out Comco’s mandate, including consumer protection and the fight against fraudulent commercial practices.
The move is part of a broader push to strengthen coordination between state institutions led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the National Economy Daniel Mukoko Samba.
The case comes amid growing concerns over the safety of some energy drinks sold locally. In November 2025, media reported the death of a man in Kinshasa after he consumed a mixture of substances that included stimulants and a drink similar to "Mutu Rouge." Authorities have not established a direct link between that case and the products targeted in Comco’s statement.
Revin SARL is a Kinshasa-based company that produces and distributes beverages for the local market, including bottled water, juices, carbonated drinks and energy drinks.
Ronsard Luabeya
