KEBS Game of Banning and Re-issuing Licenses to Companies

Kenya’s standards regulatory body, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), has re-issued Kitui Flour Mills Limited with its operating permit.

Kitui Flour Mills is the company that produces Dola maize flour which had been linked to aflatoxin contamination in an expose by Citizen TV. Four other maize flour brands had also been banned by the regulator.

Other brands that had been banned by KEBS include Kifaru by Alpha Grain Limited, Starehe by Pan African Grain Millers, 210 Two Ten by Kenblest Limited and Jembe by Kensal Rise Limited.

Kifaru by Alpha Grain Limited has also been cleared to be safe for consumption.

The move by KEBS to ban specific maize flour brands brought contrasting comments from Kenyans. The documentary by Citizen TV showed that the source of aflatoxin was the Kenya National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) because of poor storage of the produce.

All millers buy maize from NCPB before processing it to flour. A number of Kenyans were questioning KEBS’ action to ban a few maize flour brands on the grounds of aflatoxin contamination.

Other products banned by KEBS

Early this month, Kebs ordered manufacturers to recall seven peanut butter brands from the market citing high levels of aflatoxin. The agency instructed Trufoods to recall its “Zesta”, Jetlak Foods to suspend sale of “Nuteez” and Truenutz Kenya to revoke sale of its ‘True Nuts’.

Others are Supacosm Products (Supa Meal), Nature’s Way Health (Sue’s Naturals), Fressy Food Company (Fressy) and Target Distributors (Nutty by Nature).

When re-issuing the license of Dola and Kifaru. KEBS also issued permits to Nuteez peanut butter Brand manufactured by Jetlak Industries and the Zesta Brand manufactured by Tru Foods industries.

Inspection by KEBS

In a statement, KEBS said the re-issuance of work permits was after they conducted an inspection of the companies’ processing facilities.

“KEBS inspectors conducted inspections to review and determine the effectiveness of the controls put in place by your firm that were to ensure that your products meet the requirements of the fortified sifted maize meal specification,” said KEBS in their statement.

Mr. Bernard Njiraini, KEBS Managing Director, assured the public that the owners of the other brands are still undertaking the required corrective actions and the suspension of their permits will be lifted as soon as they have completed the process.

“KEBS will notify the public once the concerned manufacturers have taken adequate corrective actions to warrant lifting of their respective permits to allow them to continue production and prevent future recurrence,” he said.