This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
On July 19, 2019, a shocking discovery was made in Nairobi's meat market. A joint survey by the Ministry of Health and Nairobi county revealed that six out of 40 meat samples collected tested positive for the toxic preservative Sodium Metabisulfite.
The samples were collected on Monday, sparking a swift response from health authorities. Health Secretary Sicily Kariuki confirmed that action had been taken against retailers found selling the toxic meat products.
According to Ms Kariuki, the ministry and the Nairobi County Public Health Department seized all the meat in the affected outlets, closed the outlets, and destroyed the meat products. The traders involved have also been taken to court.
The crackdown follows an exposé by NTV that revealed how supermarkets use the preservative in their meat sections to avoid spoilage and losses.
