The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has cleared popular kids' chocolate, Kinder Joy, as safe for consumption three weeks after it was withdrawn from most international markets over contamination reports.
KEBS has allayed fears that the consumption of the said chocolate, which was withdrawn from most markets after the European Food Safety Authority detected about 134 Salmonella cases especially among children, was harmful.
The European countries had explained that the bacteria contained in the Kinder Joy was causing fever, nausea, diarrhoea, cramping, and vomiting among children.
Italian candy maker, Ferrero, recalled some of its products including Milk Chocolate, Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats Basket, and Crispy Wafers Assortment.
However, tests done by KEBS have indicated that Kinder Joy products imported into the country are safe for consumption.
According to KEBS Managing Director, Bernard Njiraini, there is no evidence of the bacteria in Kenyan products.
Through a statement released on Thursday, April 21, Njiraini explained that Kinder Joy products stocked locally were shipped in from India and Italy as opposed to Belgium which has been identified as the origin of the contaminated products.
"The Kinder variants sold locally are sourced from Italy and India, as the countries of origin, not Belgium – the country that has been identified as the source of the contaminated variants," Njiraini stated.
The conclusion was made after 31 samples of the Kinder Joy were collected from local retailers and tested. The results did not show any presence of Salmonella contamination.
"To ensure the safety and health of product consumers across the country, KEBS will in the interim continue to carry out precautionary measures on the Kinder products and target the same for further surveillance based on the widespread global concerns," KEBS noted.
The safety of kids has become one of the country's priorities recently. The Ministry of Health led by Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, early in the month issued protocols to be followed in purchasing baby feeding bottles among other products.
The guidelines are aimed at addressing the problem of child mortality in the country.
