The Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Kitui County has recalled a batch of food distributed to 80 schools in Kitui South following a detection of aflatoxin contamination.
School headteachers have been advised to refrain from using the contaminated millet and maize flour supplied to schools for the safety of learners.
In a letter by Kitui South Public Health Officer Francis Kimanyi, the ministry directed the affected schools to set aside the flour distributed in the flagged batch until further notice.
Kimanyi added that investigations into the matter are underway.
“A team has been dispatched to the 80 concerned schools for further investigations,” he said.
The flour in question was distributed in September 2024. Kimanyi has advised schools to “securely store it in its current state”.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, aflatoxins are substances that can be found in crops like maize, peanuts, and tree nuts. People can be exposed to these toxins by eating contaminated produce while farmers may also be exposed by inhaling dust when handling contaminated crops and feeds.
Consuming high level of aflatoxins in a very short time can cause nausea, itching, vomiting, abdominal pain, and death in the worst-case scenario. On the other hand, consuming small amounts of aflatoxins over a prolonged period can impair growth and development in children, suppress immunity, and cause weight loss and bleeding.
On May 15, 2024, Kenya’s Ministry of Health flagged a maize flour brand for being unfit for consumption. Director General in the Ministry of Health Dr Patrick Amoth ordered all county public health officers to seize and destroy Sherehe GSM maize meal flour in the market.
In a circular dated May 6, 2024, the Ministry noted that a laboratory analysis of the product revealed that the maize flour, with no batch number was toxic.
The notice further explained that lab results indicated that the flour contained high levels of aflatoxin above the standard requirements of 10.0ppb. The level recorded through a laboratory analysis was 714ppb.
Also Read: Maize Prices in Kenya and Malawi Have Soared, But Tanzania’s Haven’t: Economists Explain Why
“Laboratory analysis on April 30, 2024, of Sherehe GSM maize meal flour with no batch number have shown that the flour contains high levels of aflatoxin above the standard requirements of 10.0ppb. The level recorded is 714ppb,” the circular read.
Consequently, Amoth directed the surveillance of all food products in the market to protect the health of consumers.
“In order to safeguard the health of the consumers, you are required to seize all existing stock in the market of the said brand for disposal. You are advised to scale up surveillance of all food products on the market,” the statement read in part.
Also Read: Kenyans Warned Over Contaminated Maize Flour and Cereals
Another Case of Aflatoxin Kenyan Food Market
On May 8, the government warned Kenyans against consuming contaminated maize flour and cereals following the flooding crisis at the time.
According to the Ministry of Health, there was a growing concern over the consumption of maize and cereals with aflatoxin due to improper harvesting.
“A particular concern amidst the current flood crisis is the contamination of maize flour, cereals, and pulses with aflatoxin, exacerbated by heavy rains. Factors such as improper harvesting, drying methods, and inadequate storage significantly contribute to aflatoxin contamination, posing serious health risks to consumers. These health risks underscore the critical importance of prioritizing food safety management, especially in the wake of natural disasters like floods,” the Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muriuki Muthoni said.
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