Kenya Bureau of Standards(KEBS) on Wednesday lifted the ban on Dola maize flour after it was satisfied that it met the industry set and required standards.
The Quality Assurance and Inspection Director at KEBS, Bernard Guyo, in a letter addressed to Kitui Flour Mills limited, confirmed that the suspension to the sifted maize meal brand Dola was lifted.
However, on the following conditions to; “arrange for the destruction of the recalled non- conforming products in consultation with products with KEBS and as required by law, and strictly adhere to the scheme of supervision and control signed between KEBS and your firm.”
Guyo further explained that the ban was lifted quickly for the company stopped production of the affected product and it conducted and monitored the recall exercise of the affected products in the market.
KEBS nonetheless, maintained that market surveillance, factory inspections and testing would still continue to monitor the effectiveness of the sifted maize meal product.
On Saturday, November 9, KEBS recalled five brands of Ugali flour for it’s Market Surveillance Department team identified that the five listed products had high levels of aflatoxin.
“Following consistent market surveillance and testing, it has been established that the named brands have failed because their levels of aflatoxin are higher than the maximum limit allowed by relevant Kenya Standards,” Zeyana Abdulla said.
They included; Dola Maize Meal, Kifaru Maize Meal, Starehe Maize Meal, 210 Two Ten Maize Meal, and Jembe Maize Meal.
Supermarkets were also asked to pull-down the named products from their shelves.
The agency said affected manufacturers were required to institute corrective actions before being confirmed by its officials’ failure to which the agency will revoke their licenses.
“Kebs will continue to undertake market surveillance and factory inspections and products found to be below the set standards will be seized for destruction,” the statement read.
The agency further urged members of the public to be on the lookout and report any product suspected to be below the measures.
Earlier, Kebs suspended seven brands of peanut butter over poor quality.
Suspended peanuts include; Nuteez, True nuts, Fressy, Supa meal, Sue’s Naturals, Zesta and Nutty by Nature peanut butter.
In a statement on Monday, Kenya Bureau of Standards said the suspension followed test results undertaken by their officers.
