The Ministry of Health has issued a cautionary notice regarding a particular local maize flour brand due to elevated levels of aflatoxin contamination.
In a letter addressed to public county health officers and also forwarded to the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Office of the Director General for Health highlighted concerns about the Sherehe GSM maize flour, deeming it unsuitable for human consumption.
The letter, dated May 6, 2024, and signed by Acting Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, emphasized that the levels of aflatoxin in this flour brand exceed the standard requirements, measured in parts per billion (ppb).
“Laboratory analysis on April 30 of Sherehe GSM maize flour with no batch number has shown that the flour contains a high level of aflatoxin above the requirements of 10.0 ppb. The level records 714 ppb,” reads the letter.
The Ministry of Health has issued directives for the immediate confiscation of all existing stock of maize flour in the local market, following concerns over aflatoxin contamination. Nairobi County officers have been instructed to halt the milling and distribution of the affected maize flour without delay.
Furthermore, the ministry has mandated heightened surveillance of all food products available in the market and requested regular updates on the implementation of these measures.
Aflatoxins, produced by certain fungi commonly found on crops like maize, peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts, pose significant health risks. These toxins can contaminate crops during various stages, including growth, harvest, and storage.
Exposure to aflatoxins can occur through the consumption of contaminated plant products or by consuming meat or dairy products from animals fed with contaminated feed. Aflatoxicosis, suspected to be caused by the consumption of food containing aflatoxin concentrations of 1 milligram per kilogram or higher, can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, excess fluid in the lungs, and liver damage.
Aflatoxins are also potent carcinogens, with the potential to affect multiple organ systems, particularly the liver and kidneys, and increase the risk of liver cancer.
