The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has allayed fears over the presence of contaminated rice in the Kenyan market.
In a statement dated Wednesday, December 11, the agency confirmed that it had impounded rice at a godown in Nairobi.
According to KEBS, the rice importers had kept the 452 bags of rice aside awaiting compensation from their supplier given that the rice standards had deteriorated.
KEBS's analysis also confirmed that the rice was unfit for consumption due to its high levels of aflatoxins. KEBS maintained that the rice was impouded before being distributed across the country.
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"KEBS is in the process of destroying all the 452 bags of rice seized at M/s Anytime Limited Godowns." read the statement in part.
In response to why the first tests done upon importation did not flag the aflatoxins, KEBS confirmed that the first tests gave the rice a clean bill of health.
The contamination witnessed afterwards was, therefore, attributed to storage.
Further, the agency clarified that the rice had met the required standards when tested upon importation, alluding that the determination of standards may have been occasioned during storage.
"It is possible for the quality of a product to deteriorate after passing initial quality tests if the recommended storage conditions are not adhered to. This is one of the reasons why KEBS conducts regular market surveillance visits in outlets," KEBS added.
Meanwhile, the safety agency assured Kenyans that the rice currently being sold in Kenya was safe adding that it was alert to ensure that products that do not meet the required standards do not make it to the Kenyan market.
