This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) is under fire after it allowed the sale of maize flour contaminated with high levels of aflatoxin. The flour, which was produced by several millers, was later recalled from the market and the millers' permits suspended.
According to reports, the affected millers had bought their maize from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) at a subsidised price. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock had announced that NCPB was offering two million bags for sale to the public, with prices ranging from Sh1,400 to Sh2,300 per 90kg bag.
Kebs Managing Director Bernard Njiraini refused to comment on who cleared the maize from the NCPB stores as fit for human consumption. However, he stated that Kebs conducts continuous tests and can recall any product at any time if a miller is found to have violated the required standards.
Kebs has set the maximum aflatoxin level in maize at ten parts per billion (ppb). However, the affected millers claim that the test results for aflatoxin differ from laboratory to laboratory, and they would like to understand Kebs' methodology of testing for aflatoxin.
On September 4, Kebs through JM Gachanja wrote to Alpha Grain Millers and cleared their products. However, in a letter dated November 7, Kebs notified Alpha Grain of plans to randomly pick samples of Kifaru maize meal batch no PD/18/9/2019 (21.19) for testing.
Kebs has set the maximum aflatoxin level in maize at ten parts per billion (ppb). Random samples of the affected flour brands showed aflatoxin levels of 1.51ppb, which is lower than the allowed maximum limit of 10ppb.
On November 12, 2019, Kebs instructed the manufacturers to stop milling flour and recall products already in the market.
