This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
On November 11, 2019, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) made a crucial move by withdrawing trading licences from five flour processors due to contamination. This decision was not taken lightly, and it has sparked a heated debate on food safety in the country.
What is alarming is that more millers have not been sanctioned despite the presence of aflatoxin, a dangerous substance, in their stock. Independent tests have revealed high levels of aflatoxin in maize and flour samples collected from various brands across the country.
Maize meal remains the most popular and widespread menu across the country, and when stocks are contaminated, it poses a serious public health and nutritional disaster. Aflatoxin has serious health effects, including causing deaths and lifelong ailments.
Part of the problem is poor crop storage, which necessitates proper education for farmers and traders. However, an equally bigger problem is crop imports, which often do not go through quality checks before they land on the table.
The Kebs and other relevant authorities have to intensify inspection of manufacturing plants and retail outlets to determine the standards. The blacklisted brands should not be allowed back on the shelves until they satisfy the standards.
Authorities should not wait for media exposes to respond to such threats. Consumers must be protected at all times, and it is the responsibility of food safety agencies to ensure that.
