Umi maize flour brand produced by Grain Industries Limited (GIL) went viral on Monday, April 17, after the government announced it was retailing 2kg maize flour packet at Ksh159.
Announcing the development, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed announced that it was part of President William Ruto’s government plan to lower the cost of living.
The cheap maize flour brand hit its first obstacle on Wednesday, April 19, after a consumer watch body accused it of misleading the public.
Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) in a statement, cast doubts on how the cheap maize flour was being advertised.
“The strange labelling of the suspicious and strange maize flour meal called 'Umi' is deceptively flouting labelling standards,” a statement from COFEK read in part.
On how Umi was flouting labelling standards, COFEK explained, “This labelling purports that it doesn't have any traces of aflatoxin or other brands are having toxins.”
According to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), it is unlawful to use deceptive labelling on food products.
“Labelling of pre-packaged food products should provide necessary information to enable consumers to make informed and independent healthy choices on pre-packaged products.
“This is consistent with requirements of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 Bills of Rights under Article 46 (b) that states that ´Consumers have the right to the information necessary for them to gain full benefit from goods and services’ and that ‘every person has a right to the highest attainable standard of health’ (Article 43(1)(a)),” KEBS notes in the requirements of its labelling standards.
Under section KS EAS 803 KEBS in particular provides mandatory nutrition labelling requirements to empower consumers to make informed nutrition decisions concerning pre-packaged food products available to the market and make healthier food choices.
Kenyans.co.ke contacted Grain Industries Limited over the concerns raised by COFEK.
“We cannot at the moment comment on the concerns raised but our General Manager in charge of production will give a comprehensive report,” a representative of the company told Kenyans.co.ke.
On Tuesday, April 18, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi explained why GIL was able to sell maize flour at Ksh159 while other brands were selling at an average of Ksh200.
“Only one brand has been able to lower its process and I think it is because their consignment of duty-free maize started coming early and that is why they have moved fast to lower their prices,” the CS explained.
