Following public outrage after an NTV expose revealed that supermarkets across the country use Sodium Metabisulfite, a preservative to prolong the shelf life of meat products, the government on Tuesday reacted by banning the use of the chemical in meat and its products.
Ministry of Health officials spent the better half of the day raiding different supermarkets and took away meat samples for further tests.
“The Ministry of Health has collected random samples from various outlets for analysis at the national public health laboratories and directed all county health departments to undertake heightened surveillance in all supermarkets, butcheries, meat processors and other food business operators to ascertain any presence of food additives not permitted for use in meat and meat products,” read the statement by the ministry.
CS Kariuki promised to share the results if the tests once they are out.
As a measure to contain the simmering public outrage, different retailers including Carrefour and Naivas distanced themselves from the claims.
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“Carrefour Kenya would like to assure its customers and the general public that we do not use or tolerate chemicals or preservatives to extend the shelf life of meat or any other food items in any of our stores in Kenya,” read a press dispatch released by the retailer.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, Naivas Chief Commercial Officer Willy Kimani also defended his employer saying that the retailer’s handling of meat products does not require use of chemicals.
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“We have streamlined our ordering process and made sure that it is in check. We have invested heavily in cold chain solutions to make sure that we don’t encounter any such problems,” said Kimani.
The expose broadcasted by NTV on Sunday was based on results of three samples acquired from three different unidentified supermarkets which all tested positive for Sodium Metabisulfite which expert say if ingested in excess amounts could lead to cancer and skin reactions and in pregnant women harm unborn babies.
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