Processors ignore directive to fortify basic food products

Manufacturers of basic foodstuff have ignored a directive issued by the government nearly two years ago requiring them to add essential ingredients in their products to help fight diseases associated with poor nutrition.

The Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act of 2012 requires all packaged wheat flour, maize meal, salt and cooking fats and oils to be fortified with basic nutrients.

Under the law, such goods should only be allowed on shelves if they bear Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) certification showing they contain required levels of basic elements like iron, vitamins and essential minerals. 

Market data, however, indicates that only 30 per cent of maize millers in the country have complied with the Act. Similarly, only 180 wheat flour brands have the Kebs certification.

“This is an ongoing programme. The law is in force but I can’t disclose the name of firms whose products have been issued with fortification certificates,” said John Kabue, food safety and quality expert at Kebs.

The then Ministry of Public Health pushed for fortification of basic food items after studies indicated that a lack of essential ingredients was high among children and women in Kenya.

Official statistics indicate that 74 per cent of children suffer from Vitamin A deficiency while 60 per cent of mothers giving birth are anaemic, a condition that affects the baby.

The government settled on food fortification as the most affordable way to fight nutritional diseases.

A spot check by the Business Daily, however, indicates that the few firms that have complied with the law are treating the fortified items as premium products that are sold at slightly higher prices.

The high shelve prices are likely to defeat the whole purpose of the campaign which sought to make the essential elements available to low income earners.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), which has been pushing the fortification initiative, says it has stepped up engagements with government agencies to ensure the food fortification Act is complied with.

GAIN country director Adan Kabelo said poor compliance rates were as a result of weak implementation mechanisms by government a state.

“As such, we are conducting a series of training to boost sensitisation on food fortification and capacity building,” said Dr Kabelo at a food industry stakeholder forum last week.

Micronutrient deficiency, he said, leads to stunted growth in children, general lack of attention and tiredness. One out of every three children in Kenya aged below five suffers stunted growth.

“This is a serious problem that can be prevented through food fortification, GAIN has also partnered with German analytics company BoiAnalyt, to distribute portable test kits called i-Checks for the analysis of micronutrients in foods.