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 about the consumption of certain brands of maize flour due to high levels of aflatoxin.
The affected brands include Dola maize meal by Kitui Flour Mills, Kifaru maize meal by Alpha Grain Limited, Starehe maize meal by Pan African Grain Millers, Two Ten maize meal by Kenblest Limited, and Jembe maize meal by Kensalrise Limited.
KEBS stated that these products do not meet the required standards as they contain high levels of aflatoxin, exceeding the maximum limit allowed by relevant Kenya Standards.
According to KEBS, the products were identified through consistent market surveillance and testing, and the manufacturers have been directed to recall the products from the market and institute corrective measures.
The agency also instructed supermarkets countrywide to remove the products from their shelves and urged the public to report any product suspected to be sub-standard.
Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that can contaminate crops such as maize, peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.
Long-term exposure to high levels of aflatoxin has been associated with an increased risk of liver cancer infection and other health consequences, including immunosuppression and potential birth defects.
