The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on Wednesday, refuted claims that a Ksh17 billion consignment of edible oil imported by the government through Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) was not safe for human consumption.
In a statement, KEBS noted that it re-inspected and tested the edible oil imported by KNTC and did not find safety concerns.
"However, the sampled edible oils did not meet the Vitamin A levels specified in the Kenyan Standard. This is not a health and safety parameter; KEBS communicated the results to KNTC," the statement read in part.
"We would like to assure the public that KEBS is committed to ensuring the safety and quality of all locally manufactured and imported products into the country."
According to KEBS, the edible oil was assessed using Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVC) which is a standard unit for assessing the quality of all goods and products being imported into the country.
To ensure no substandard goods find their way into the Kenyan market, PVC is implemented right in the exporting country.
This guarantees that imported products adhere to the applicable Kenyan Technical Regulations, Mandatory Standards, or approved specifications according to KEBS.
"KEBS samples and re-inspects products accompanied by Certificates of Conformity (CoCs) at the Port of Entry as a routine," the quality-control body added.
KEBS assured members of the public that it was dedicated to ensuring the highest level of safety and quality of products.
Kenyans were requested to inform KEBS upon encountering any products suspected to be substandard.
Earlier media reports had stated that KEBS had rejected the consignment and ordered KNTC to reship them back to the country of origin or be destroyed at the importer’s cost.
Additionally, in the now refuted claims, it had been reported that the edible oil contained insoluble impurities making it unsafe for human consumption.
