Maize Flour in Kenya: The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has banned five maize flour brands. KEBS on Saturday announced that it had banned Dola, Jembe, 210, Kifaru, Starehe maize flours over high aflatoxin levels.
Dola is manufactured by Kitui Four Mills, Kifaru by Alpha Grain Limited, Starehe by Pan African Grain Millers, 210 Two Ten by Kenblest Limited and Jembe by Kensal Rise Limited.
The regulatory body said the ban followed market surveillance and multiple reports from the public. “Kebs has noted that some brands of maize meal products offered for sale do not meet requirements,” it said in a statement. “The permits have been suspended and the manufacturers instructed to discontinue manufacturing or offering for sale the affected maize meal products.”
KEBS also said that substandard products found on sale will be seized for destruction at the expense of the owner and that the owners will have to face legal consequences.
“The manufacturers are required to recall all the substandard products and institute corrective actions,” the statement said. Once the companies take the corrective measures, Kebs will confirm that standards have been met before the ban is lifted.
The ban comes amidst rising demand for the product that is common food in Kenya. At the same time, Kenyan households have been grappling with the rising cost of maize flour.