This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
On November 9, 2019, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) issued a warning to the public against consuming five brands of maize flour that failed to meet the required standards.
The affected brands, which were identified during routine market surveillance and after multiple complaints from the public, include Dola Maize Meal by Kitui Flour Mills, Kifaru Maize Meal by Alpha Grain Limited, Starehe Maize Meal by Pan African Grain Millers, 210 Two Ten Maize Meal by Kenblest Limited, and Jembe Maize Meal by Kensalrise Limited.
According to Kebs, the maize flour brands failed to meet the standards due to high levels of aflatoxin, a toxic substance that can cause serious health issues. The agency has since seized the products and instructed supermarkets countrywide to remove them from their shelves.
Kebs has also suspended the permits of the manufacturers, requiring them to recall all substandard maize meal products from the market and institute corrective actions. The agency will confirm the effectiveness of these actions before lifting the suspension of permits.
