Kenyan Breadmakers Put on Notice over False Weight and Ingredients

The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has put bread makers on notice after a probe revealed that some of them have been hoodwinking consumers with false product information to make more sales.

On Monday, the regulator ordered all bakers to comply with the Competition Act and other relevant standards.

In its investigation, CAK found that bakeries failed to print crucial information such as manufacturing and expiry dates on wrappers, while others printed them wrongly.

Others falsely claimed that their products contained certain ingredients while others failed to disclose the ingredients of their fortified breads.

“The manufacturers failed to provide the weight of their bread products and ingredients, while others marketed their bread as fortified but did not specify the alleged nutrients/vitamins used. Some brands misled consumers that their products contained milk or butter whereas they did not,” said Wang’ombe Kariuki, CAK Director-General.

The agency directed bread makers to henceforth print the date and month of manufacture on the bread wrappers as opposed to the seal and indicate the expiry date as “Best Before” instead of “Sell By.”

They are further required to indicate the correct net weight in grams, and a list of all ingredients used, including the vitamins and minerals used in fortification.

“The authority shall continuously undertake spot-checks to establish compliance with all the directives,” added Kariuki.

Weights and Measurement Act requires bread manufacturers to sell a loaf with a net weight of 200 grams, 400 grams, 600 grams, 800 grams, 1 kilogram, or 1.5 kilograms.

Bakers found guilty of violating the regulations risk imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding Sh10 million or both.