Aflatoxin continues to contaminate key staples such as maize, peanuts and dairy products. Millers are pushing for a shift towards data-driven interventions to tackle the country’s persistent aflatoxin contamination. This comes as the industry players warn that traditional approaches have failed to stem a crisis affecting staple foods and public health.
According to the Cereal Millers Association (CMA), a flatoxin contamination continues to be a severe public health and economic threat in Kenya. Previous studies indicate majority of maize flour samples tested in urban areas show detectable levels of the toxin, and 16 per cent exceed the national regulatory limit of 10 ppb or parts per billion—the standard unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of dangerous toxin in food or feed.
Cereal Millers Association CEO Paloma Fernandes said the industry has grappled with aflatoxin contamination for years, despite ongoing efforts including self-regulation and improved quality controls. She noted that past studies have revealed widespread contamination even in commercially processed flour, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
“The industry has been working to address this problem, but it remains significant,” Fernandes said. Aflatoxin, a toxic byproduct of certain fungi, continues to contaminate key staples such as maize, peanuts and even dairy products, particularly in high-risk regions across Kenya.
Despite years of mitigation efforts, the contamination remains widespread, raising concerns over food safety, export competitiveness and long-term health risks.