Grain millers put on notice over nutrient content

Kebs Managing Director Charles Ongwae (left) GAIN Country Operations Director, Ms Susan Ni Chriodain, and GAIN Country Director Adan Wario Kabelo during a demonstration of the portable fortification machine by KEBS Lab Analyst Isaac Mugenya. COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Mr Ongwae made the remarks when he received the fortification inspection machine worth Sh38 million from the Switzerland-based Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition(GAIN) which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Manufacturers of grains and oils will not be allowed to renew their licences if they do not fortify the foods with essential nutrients, Kenya Bureau of Standards has said.

Kebs Managing Director Charles Ongwae said manufacturers must ensure Vitamin A, iron, Zinc and Folic Acid are added to all their edible fats and oil as well as wheat and maize flour as a prerequisite for renewing certificate of compliance.

Mr Ongwae made the remarks when he received a fortification inspection machine worth Sh38 million from the Switzerland-based Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition(GAIN), which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

GAIN Country Operations Director Susan No Chriodain welcomed gains made in Kenya in improving nutrition for all Kenyans, saying their partnership had seen 241 products currently on sale in Kenya certified as having met the newly introduced requirements for fortification.

Mr Ongwae said that Kebs inspectors would continue conducting operations across the country to check compliance, saying malnutrition currently experienced by food-insecure communities could best be fought by fortifying the commonly consumed foods with minerals and vitamins.