Kenyans face risk of aflatoxin as KEBS flags 2000T rice consignment

KENYA – Kenyans may have been exposed to yet another hazardous commodity after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) flagged a 2-million-kilogram (2000 tonnes) rice consignment deemed unfit for human consumption.

The rice, imported from Pakistan in September and October of this year, failed the critical aflatoxin test, a test designed to detect harmful toxins produced by fungi in food.

According to documents obtained by the press, KEBS determined that the rice contained levels of aflatoxin higher than the permitted threshold, rendering it unsafe for consumption.

Despite this, the consignment was diverted into the Kenyan market. The rice, which was initially brought into the Kilindini port in Mombasa, was later transported to Nairobi where it was repacked into 25kg bags and distributed to various wholesale and retail outlets.

Upon discovering the breach, KEBS officials launched a crackdown on the contaminated rice, but their efforts to halt its distribution were only partially successful.

 Surveillance officers were able to seize 23,000 kilograms of the toxic rice at the Central Business Park in Nairobi’s industrial area. However, the remaining portion of the consignment may still be circulating in local markets, raising concerns about the potential health risks to consumers.

This incident is not the first time substandard or dangerous products have made their way into Kenyan markets. Just three months ago, KEBS flagged 32 million liters of cooking oil that had entered the market illegally.

The oil, which failed to meet KEBS’ nutritional standards, was released without the agency’s approval. In a report to lawmakers on September 23, KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari revealed that 43 out of 73 containers of imported cooking oil were sold to retailers, despite failing safety and quality tests.

Ngari emphasized the failure of the Kenya National Trade Corporation (KNTC) to ensure the oil met necessary standards, adding that the products should never have been released into the market.

“We tested several consignments and the results we received showed failure. As far as KEBS is concerned, their products were rejected and therefore the Kenya National Trade Corporation (KNTC) should have not sold them out,” Ngari informed the legislators.

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