• The director noted that genuine businesses suffer when consumers are unable to distinguish the genuine products from fake products
• The official called for concerted efforts in tackling the problem
A consumer organisation has expressed concern over increasing cases of contaminated food as well as the influx of substandard products in the market.
The consumer Downtown Association on Monday said the endless influx of sprayed vegetables, fruits and contaminated meat among other foods have sent panic and created shivers among consumers striving to raise their hard earn cash to be able to afford a meal on their table.
The association's Executive Director Japheth Ogutu said Kenyans are left to deal with suspicion of whether to continue trusting food products in the market or not.
Ogutu said that poor management of waste in the markets where heaps of rotting garbage are deposited near markets are serious issues that stakeholders must deal with.
“There are weak monitoring and surveillance systems at domestic level and the lack of traceability systems in place means that no one can be held accountable for unsafe food,” he said.
The director noted that while not all businesses engage in dealing with unhygienic or unsafe food production and supply, genuine businesses suffer in the process when consumers are unable to distinguish the genuine products from fake ones.
“There is lack of clear ownership of food safety mandate in Kenya despite the fact that all relevant regulatory agencies have well-equipped labs to undertake tests and certify fitness for human consumption as in the case in many parts of the world,” Ogutu said.
“Meat consumption in Kenya has also gone viral. The entrance of unscrupulous traders who resort to selling poison meat, and /also illicit brews are serious matters of great concern.”
He said lack of accountability is worsened by uncoordinated food safety and control activities, poor harmonization of standards and regulations, lack of consumer awareness programmes, inadequate protection of local consumers and inadequate capacity building of stakeholders on food safety along the value chain.
On the issue of aflatoxin, the official noted that aflatoxin contaminations can happen at the farm, during transportation, at storage, at processing, at distribution or at home after sale depending on pre-exposure conditions.
“Aflatoxin causes cancer and other illnesses that may result in death. We should therefore as a country provide interventions that would restore confidence and trust in the market.”
He called for concerted efforts in tackling the problem, noting that this can be achieved through the Food Safety policy 2013 which is currently under review to create a common stop authority by stakeholders in from the ministries of Agriculture and Health.
Ogutu said the government through the two ministries should ensure relevant stakeholders have been incorporated in the authority being created to provide lasting solution to food safety issues in the country.
Key among them is consumer organisations, relevant government agencies, private sector representatives among others.
“To be able to achieve the overall goal on food safety, we must accept we have failed and recollect our heads together, develop a clear framework and action jointly,” he said.
He further noted that there is a need to have a budget and expenditure tracking as important tools in promoting transparency and accountability thus enhancing evidence-based advocacy for many reputable institutions.
He reiterated that food products are required by law to be produced, processed, handled, packed, stored and transported or shipped hygienically where all necessary precautions are taken into consideration to prevent contamination.