This archive report was first published on 25 December 2019.
Published on December 25, 2019, laboratory tests in Nakuru have condemned several bags of sugar and maize for being unsafe for human consumption.
At least 42 bags of 50 kilo of different sugar brands and 4,749kg of maize were removed from the market in November 2019 after tests revealed high levels of lead and aflatoxin.
Deputy county public health officer George Gachomba said the tests were conducted during regular food quality surveillance.
According to Gachomba, the condemned sugar contains high levels of lead, while the maize has high levels of aflatoxin.
“It is unfortunate that some traders have been supplying consumers with food products that have metals and aflatoxin, more so maize and sugar,” said Gachomba.
The laboratory tests revealed that the condemned maize flour has aflatoxin levels ranging from 24 to 60 Parts per Billion (PPB), exceeding the expected 10 PPB.
Additionally, the tests indicated that the lead in the condemned sugar stood at 0.85 Parts Per Million (PPM), exceeding the accepted limits of 0.5 PPM.
According to the World Health Organisation, aflatoxin are potent carcinogens and may affect all organ systems.
