KALRO, KEBS Warn of Dangerous Aflatoxin Levels in Cereals Sold in Kenyan Markets

KALRO, KEBS Warn of Dangerous Aflatoxin Levels in Cereals Sold in Kenyan Markets

Kenyans have been urged to exercise greater caution when purchasing and storing cereals after food safety authorities raised alarm over the discovery of dangerously high aflatoxin levels in some food products being sold in local markets.

The warning, issued jointly through findings highlighted by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), has reignited concerns about food safety, public health, and the risks posed by contaminated cereals across the country.

According to KALRO Director General Patrick Ketiem, recent tests conducted on cereal samples collected from various markets revealed contamination levels far beyond internationally accepted safety standards.

During celebrations marking World Food Safety Day on June 2, Ketiem disclosed that some samples contained aflatoxin levels as high as 500 parts per billion (ppb), an alarming figure considering the recommended limit is only 10 ppb.

“The only acceptable limit by the World Health Organisation is 10 parts per billion. If you pass ten, it cannot be accepted,”

Ketiem stated while addressing stakeholders during the event.

The findings have sparked renewed fears among consumers, especially because cereals such as maize, sorghum, millet, and groundnuts remain staple foods for millions of Kenyan households.

Aflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain fungi that thrive in crops exposed to moisture, poor drying conditions, and inadequate storage facilities. Experts warn that prolonged exposure to contaminated food can have devastating health consequences.

Medical researchers have consistently linked aflatoxin exposure to liver cancer, weakened immune systems, stunted growth among children, birth defects, and other long-term health complications.

Food safety experts note that aflatoxin contamination often occurs before harvest but becomes significantly worse when farmers and traders fail to dry and store cereals properly.

The warning comes at a time when Kenya continues to battle recurring food safety challenges, particularly in regions that experience unpredictable weather patterns and inadequate post-harvest handling infrastructure.

KALRO attributed part of the challenge to the high cost of food safety testing, which prevents many farmers and traders from regularly screening their produce before releasing it into the market.

“The cost of food safety testing remains prohibitive for most farmers,” Ketiem observed, calling for interventions aimed at making testing services more affordable and accessible across the country.

The revelations have prompted KEBS to intensify surveillance and inspection activities as authorities move to prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers.

According to KEBS Quality Assurance Director Geoffrey Muriira, food safety should remain a collective responsibility involving farmers, traders, regulators, processors, and consumers.

“If it is not safe, then it is not food, and this is the message we want everybody to have because this is a shared responsibility,”Muriira emphasized.

KEBS officials say they are increasing market inspections and laboratory testing while working closely with agricultural stakeholders to strengthen compliance with food safety standards.

Industry experts argue that beyond enforcement, long-term solutions will require investment in modern storage facilities, farmer training programs, affordable testing services, and improved awareness campaigns.

Consumer rights advocates have also urged authorities to publish regular food safety reports to help the public make informed decisions when purchasing cereals and other food products.

Agricultural specialists further recommend that farmers adopt better post-harvest practices, including proper drying, use of moisture meters, and storage technologies designed to reduce fungal growth.

The latest warning serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Kenya’s food supply chain. As regulators tighten oversight and intensify inspections, consumers are being encouraged to remain vigilant and source cereals from reputable suppliers while authorities work to curb the spread of contaminated food products in local markets.

With aflatoxin contamination continuing to pose a serious threat to public health, stakeholders now face growing pressure to implement lasting solutions that will protect consumers and safeguard the country’s food security.

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KALRO, KEBS Warn of Dangerous Aflatoxin Levels in Cereals Sold in Kenyan Markets