Nairobi: Public health authorities have issued a warning regarding the widespread presence of aflatoxin-contaminated cereals in Kenyan marketplaces. This discovery has renewed concerns regarding food safety standards and the efficacy of current public health safeguards. The warning was prompted by data from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) after several tests on local market samples revealed aflatoxin levels exceeding official safety standards.

According to Kenya News Agency, KALRO Director General Dr. Patrick Ketiem reported that some market samples tested at 500 parts per billion (ppb), which is 50 times higher than the legal safety limit of just 10 ppb, representing a violation of public health regulations. Speaking at a World Food Safety Day event, Ketiem emphasized that there are no exceptions when it comes to international standards, noting that the World Health Organization has a strict limit set at 10 ppb. He also highlighted that the high cost of food safety testing exacerbates the problem, making it difficult for most small-scale farmers and traders to afford these tests.

Aflatoxins, dangerous toxins generated by fungal growth on improperly stored crops such as maize, sorghum, millet, and groundnuts, pose significant health risks. Chronic exposure to these contaminants is linked to liver cancer, compromised immune function, birth defects, and developmental delays in children. Experts attribute Kenya's toxic grain crisis to poor post-harvest handling, inadequate drying, and poorly ventilated storage facilities, which create conditions conducive to aflatoxin development.

Following the latest data, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has intensified its market surveillance to eliminate substandard food products and safeguard public health. According to KEBS Quality Assurance Director Geoffrey Muriira, the regulatory body has deployed enhanced inspection protocols to ensure that all retail cereals comply with established safety standards. He emphasized that food safety is a collective national responsibility and aims to promote this principle across the entire agricultural and retail sector.