This archive report was first published on 10 November 2019.
On November 10, 2019, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) ordered the removal of five maize flour brands from the market due to high levels of aflatoxin.
The affected brands include Dola maize flour, manufactured by Kitui Flour Mills, Kifaru by Mombasa's Alpha Grain Limited, Starehe made by Pan African Grain in Nairobi, 210 Two Ten Maize Meal by the Thika-based Kenblest Limited, and Jembe maize meal manufactured by Kensalrise Limited in Eldoret.
Kebs directed supermarkets and shops countrywide to withdraw the brands from the shelves before any further distribution, while manufacturers were ordered to institute corrective actions to reduce aflatoxin levels in the grain they are using.
According to Kebs, the high levels of aflatoxin were detected after conducting several tests on the products in the markets during their routine market surveillance.
Kebs will be undertaking market surveillance and factory inspections to monitor if the directives are being followed, and substandard products found will be seized for destruction at the expense of the owner.
