The Kenya Bureau of Standards ( KEBS ) has declared 17 maize meal brands unfit for human consumption due to high levels of aflatoxin.
KEBS found the products sold in the country containing substances that could cause cancer, with the amount exceeding local regulatory limits.
Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.
Below is the list of maize flour brands suspended ;
- Dola by Eldoret Grain Millers
- Tetema by Eldoret Grains Limited
- African king by African Kings maize millers
- Unique by Ndosha Limited
- Mlo by Bidii Limited
- City Corn Maize Meal by Central Afya Bora Maize Millers
- Sarafina Maize Meal by Century Millers
- Tosha Maize Meal by Godmesa Foods and Allied limited
- Ahiba Maize Meal by Grango Suba Millers
- Hakika Best by Halisi Maize Millers
- Budget Maize Meal by Karibu Flour Mills
- Wema Maize Meal by Luma Millers Limited
- Jomba by Machakos Millers
- Adardere Mupa by Mbaitu Maize Milling
- Afya by Meru Multipurpose Cooperative Society
- Uzima by Sigose Farm Company Limited
- Sungura by Sungura Unga Millers
Exposure to aflatoxins is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.
On November 9, 2019, KEBS suspended Jembe, Dola, Kifaru, Starehe and 210 brands of maize flour products.
However, 11 days later, KEBS lifted the suspension for Dola and Kifaru saying the manufacturers had met approved quality standards.
