Kenya Bureau of Standards(KEBS) has flagged twenty-six brands of tissue paper due to noncompliance of quality standards.
In a letter dated February 24, KEBS wrote to the Chief Executive of the Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) asking the association to tell its members to withdraw the flagged tissue brands from supermarket shelves.
“We request your office to notify your members to remove these brands from outlets across the country until further notice,” Peter Kaigwara, Director of Market Surveillance wrote.
The director added that that the brands did not comply with the requirements of the Standard Act.
“Following market surveillance activities on toilet paper brands in circulation across the country, KEBS detected noncompliance with the requirements of the Standards Act,” Peter Kaigwara wrote.
In 2011, KEBS also targeted tissue brands for noncompliance with the quality standards set by the board.
The sector offers jobs to more than fifty thousand people and makes around Ksh2.4 billion annually.
KEBS on February 26, also approved new guidelines that would guide the production of Kraft paper.
The guidelines provided specifications for limit of heavy metals and organic contaminants, microbiological requirements, Ph levels, cobb and dimensions.
The guidelines specify sampling and testing methods of Kraft paper used in packaging of oily and greasy foods, dry food such as sugar, bread bags, grocery bags, laminates and wrapping bags.
“Kraft paper is recommended for eco-friendly packaging as they are made from biodegradable recyclable materials to help reduce waste and conserve the environment, “Bernard Njirani, managing director KEBS said.
