Nairobi County Health Committee has mandated the immediate closure of all Naivas Supermarket outlets within Nairobi County. The directive follows the discovery of expired products being sold across various branches of the retail chain.
The announcement was made earlier today at the Naivas Supermarket branch on Moi Avenue in Nairobi’s Central Business District. Maurice Ochieng’, Chairperson of the Nairobi County Assembly Health Committee, emphasized the urgency of the action, stating that the closures are effective immediately.
“We cannot compromise on the health and safety of Nairobi residents. The sale of expired products is a grave violation, and we are taking swift action to address it,” said Ochieng.
The committee has stipulated that Naivas must conduct comprehensive testing of all their products and reapply for a certificate of clearance before resuming operations. This measure aims to ensure that all items on sale meet the required health and safety standards.
This incident is not isolated. In 2019, Naivas faced scrutiny when meat samples from its outlets were found to contain excessive levels of sodium metabisulfite, a preservative not permitted for use in meat products. This led to the suspension of red meat sales across all Naivas stores and a commitment from the retailer to enhance food safety measures.
In response to past challenges, Naivas has since established an environmental health and food safety department, aiming to implement international food safety standards across its operations . The current closures, however, indicate ongoing concerns regarding product safety and compliance.
Naivas Supermarket, Kenya’s largest retail chain with over 100 outlets as of late 2024 , has yet to issue an official statement regarding the recent closures. Customers are advised to remain vigilant and report any concerns related to product safety to the relevant authorities.
The Nairobi County Health Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and will continue to monitor retail outlets to ensure compliance with health regulations.
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