Kenya Bureau of Standards has blacklisted 14 maize flour brands that should not be sold to the public after they failed to meet quality standards.
In a statement released on Sunday, October 31, the manufacturers of the 14 brands did not comply with the required standards.
In a letter addressed to the Retail Traders Association of Kenya CEO Wambui Mbarire, KEBS asked manufacturers of the said maize flour to recall the products from the supply chain.
List of non-compliant maize brands and manufacturers
- Ndovu Maize Flour- Mombasa Maize Millers
- Bel’s Organic Composite Maize Flour- Bebalyse Enterprises
- Diamond Sifted Maize Meal- Ultramax Holdings
- Family- Family Flour Mills
- Jasiri Sifted Maize- Afraha Flour Mills
- Jibu Maize Flour- Afya Millers
- Jodari Maize Flour- Mzuri Millers Ltd
- Mugambo Sifted Maize Meal- Grafam Ltd
- Prestige Sifted Maize Meal- Prestige Nutriol Ltd
- Range Corn Sifted Maize Meal- Range Processors
- Sima Tamu Fortified Maize Meal- Sima Grains
- Top White Sifted Maize Meal- Muharata Millers Ltd
- Winnies Ugali Afya- Winnie’s Pure Health Products Ltd
- Jema Sifted Maize Flour- Limy Millers
KEBS undertakes inspections in factories and market surveillance to check on the quality of products sold to the public.
The standards body has also issued a warning to the millers to comply with the set standards for the brands that it is yet to test before they are put up for sale
KEBS noted that the move shouldn’t be considered as a total ban but an action aimed at giving the millers a chance to take corrective action and ensure quality products are made available for consumers.
It was not the first time that KEBS flagged unga brands for not meeting required standards. The country has in the past grappled with cases of substandard maize flour brands being brought into the limelight
According to the KEBS, the major concern is due to the high levels of aflatoxin- toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops. High levels of aflatoxin lead to acute poisoning due to the constant damaging of the liver.