KEBS denies claims of contaminated rice in Kenyan market
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
In a statement issued on Wednesday, KEBS clarified that a consignment of 452 bags of rice imported by Anytime Limited had been seized and tested, revealing high aflatoxin levels.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has dismissed claims that contaminated rice is being sold in the market, assuring Kenyans that the majority of rice currently available is safe for consumption.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, KEBS clarified that a consignment of 452 bags of rice imported by Anytime Limited had been seized and tested, revealing high aflatoxin levels.
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"The 452 bags of rice found at Anytime Limited were seized by KEBS in the interest of consumer safety and subjected to laboratory analysis. It was discovered the rice was not fit for consumption due to high aflatoxin levels," the statement read.
KEBS further confirmed that a separate batch of 2,078,500 kilograms of Pakistan long-grain rice imported by M/S Gama Foods Traders Limited between September and November 2024 had been tested and met all safety standards.
"The outcome of the testing indicated that the aflatoxin levels were within acceptable limits (0.58 µg/kg against a requirement of 10 µg/kg) and therefore fit for human consumption upon testing," the statement added.
The assurance from KEBS comes amid public anxiety following reports that 2 million kilograms of rice deemed unfit for consumption may have entered the market.
Reports had indicated that a consignment imported from Pakistan in September and October failed aflatoxin tests but was still distributed to wholesalers and retailers after being repacked.
The KEBS statement contradicted earlier reports, reaffirming that the rice imported by Gama Foods was certified with the diamond mark of quality, a guarantee of safety and compliance with Kenyan standards.
"Diamond mark of quality is granted to products that have met and exceeded the requirements of the Kenyan Standard and therefore assures consumers of high quality and safety," KEBS noted.
Addressing concerns about the 452 bags of contaminated rice, KEBS said the consignment had been detained and was in the process of being destroyed.
The agency also urged traders to adhere to proper storage guidelines to prevent spoilage or contamination of their stock.
Despite KEBS' reassurances, documents obtained by multiple media outlets earlier this week revealed that a consignment of 83,000 bags of 25kg rice was transported from the Kilindini port in Mombasa to Nairobi, where it was repackaged and redistributed.
When KEBS officials initiated a crackdown, only 23,000 kilograms were recovered, raising concerns about the safety of rice in circulation.
KEBS acknowledged that rice, like other food products, may deteriorate over time if not stored properly.
"We urge traders to adhere to recommended product storage instructions to avoid spoilage and possible contamination," the statement concluded.
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