Kenyans have been urged to exercise caution when purchasing cereals after alarming tests revealed dangerously high levels of aflatoxin contamination in food products sold in local markets, raising fresh concerns over food safety and public health.

The warning was issued by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation after laboratory analysis of cereal samples collected from various markets showed contamination levels far exceeding internationally accepted safety standards.

Speaking during the World Food Safety Day event on Tuesday, June 2, KALRO Director General Patrick Ketiem disclosed that some samples recorded aflatoxin levels as high as 500 parts per billion (ppb), compared to the maximum allowable limit of 10 ppb.

“The only acceptable limit by the World Health Organisation is 10 parts per billion. If you pass ten, it cannot be accepted,” Ketiem said.

Aflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain fungi that thrive on crops such as maize, sorghum, millet, and groundnuts, particularly when harvested produce is poorly dried or stored in damp conditions. The toxins have been linked to severe health complications, including liver cancer, weakened immune systems, birth defects, and stunted growth among children.

According to KALRO, one of the biggest challenges in tackling the problem is the high cost of food safety testing, which remains out of reach for many small-scale farmers and traders. Ketiem called for greater investment in affordable testing services to help detect contamination before food reaches consumers.

The findings have prompted the Kenya Bureau of Standards to intensify market surveillance and inspections in a bid to remove unsafe food products from circulation. KEBS Quality Assurance Director Geoffrey Muriira said the agency is working to ensure food sold to consumers meets established safety requirements.

“If it is not safe, then it is not food, and this is the message we want everybody to have because this is a shared responsibility,” Muriira stated.

Experts attribute the widespread contamination to poor post-harvest handling practices, inadequate drying methods, and improper storage facilities. Authorities are now urging farmers, traders, and consumers to remain vigilant as efforts to strengthen food safety standards across the country continue.