This archive report was first published on 22 August 2021.
Published on August 22, 2021, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has taken a bold step to protect consumers by banning 27 maize meal and fortified flour brands that failed to meet quality standards.
The affected maize meal brands include Budget, Equatorial Ugali Afya, Fahali, Family, Pembe, Ziwa, Ugali Bora, Tupike Riri, Sima Tamu, Unga Sawa, Uwezo, and Ziwa, all manufactured by Eldoret Grain Millers Limited.
KEBS has also shut down the manufacturer and sale of several non-compliant composite flour brands, including Wimbi Safi, Rimwambi Soya Porridge Mix, Narisha Plus, Rest Food Products Afya Bora Kinara Porridge, Famila Natures Food The Original Ujimix (sour porridge), Generation Wimbi Porridge Flour, Soko Wimbi Mix, Winnies Pure Health-Ugali Afya, Ujipwani Unga Wimbi Chachu, Natasha Porridge, Golden Porridge, Excellent Nutritious porridge, and Split Peas Flour Unga Wa Bhajia, all manufactured by Phatol Investments Limited in Mombasa.
KEBS undertakes regular inspections in factories and market surveillance to check on the quality of products sold to the public. The standards body has asked all blacklisted manufacturers to cease production and sale of the affected products and recall those already in the market.
KEBS has also asked the public to report any products that do not have the S-Mark permit by sending the code underneath the S-Mark to 20023 to get details on the product. If the details are different, invalid, or not traceable to the platform, those affected are asked to report to KEBS through the Toll-Free Number 1545 during official working hours.
