Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has announced that the Sh17 billion consignment of edible oil imported by the government through the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) is safe for human consumption.
This declaration comes in response to earlier media reports suggesting that the consignment posed health risks.
KEBS, acknowledging the media reports, specified that the sampled edible oils failed to meet the Vitamin A levels outlined in the Kenyan Standard.
“However, the sampled edible oils did not meet the Vitamin A levels specified in the Kenyan Standard. This is not a health and safety parameter; KEBS communicated the results to KNTC,” said KEBS.
KEBS assured the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of all locally manufactured and imported products.
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The analysis of the edible oil was conducted using the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVC), a standard protocol employed to assess the quality of commodities and products imported into the country. This process aims to prevent the entry of inferior products into the Kenyan market by ensuring compliance with Mandatory Standards, Kenyan Technical Regulations, or approved specifications.
KEBS further elucidated that routine sampling and re-inspection of products, accompanied by Certificates of Conformity (CoCs), are conducted at the Port of Entry. In September, KEBS had communicated to the Managing Director of KNTC that the consignment failed to meet safety standards and recommended its reshipment to the country of origin within 30 days or face destruction at the importer’s expense.
The report indicated specific deviations from standards, with the edible oil surpassing the required fat content by 0.47% (99.97 instead of 99.5) and exceeding the acceptable moisture and matter volatile at 105°C, standing at 0.2%.