KEBS bans sale of 27 Flour brands from the market

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 21-The Kenya Bureau of Standards has banned the sale of 27 meal and flour brands citing lack of compliance with the standardized requirements by the regulators.

On Friday, KEBS recalled several brands, which include Pembe, Family, Ugali bora, Soko and wimbi mix.

Other brands include Budget, Equatorial Ugali, Afya, Fahali Riri, Sima tamu, Tupike, Ziwa, Uwezo and Unga Sawa.

Manufacturers of the banned brands have therefore been directed to recall their products from the shelves and institute effective corrective actions that shall be confirmed by the Bureau.

“It is also our responsibility to keep the public informed of the compliance status of products, including maize meal and composite flour, to enable consumers make informed choices. Given the significance of maize and its derived products in Kenya, KEBS has put maize meal and composite flour in the categories of products desirous of constant surveillance and monitoring,” reads the statement.

The standards agency said it will communicate to the public once the products have met its requirements,  upon satisfactory resolution and conclusion of the issues.

“KEBS shall continue to undertake market surveillance and factory inspections to ensure consumer safety and a level trade playing field. Substandard products found will be seized for destruction at the expense of the owner in addition to any other legal action as provided under the law,” it added.

It also urged the public to be vigilant and report any products sold to consumers that fail to have the certification marks.

The Standardization Mark (SM) permit, which is a mandatory requirement for the placement of goods in the Kenyan market, is issued to manufacturers for products whose compliance with established standards has been ascertained.

This is however not the first time KEBS is banning the sale of such products to the public due to the failure of manufacturers to adhere by the requirements needed to ensure they are fit for human consumption.

In January, KEBS banned the sale of 17 maize brands whose aflatoxin levels were higher than the maximum limit.