Mechanisms for food Safety in the Counties.
College of Biological and Physical Sciences.
Aflatoxins and fumonisins continue to plague cereals and cereal products in Kenya. In recognition of this, the World Food Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the University of Nairobi and county governments, has established mechanisms to enable counties test their own food products for the toxins and take the necessary action.
Counties in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya are particularly vulnerable to these toxins and often lack the capacity to manage food safety and quality issues. The establishment of mini-laboratories at the counties and equipping them with the necessary apparatus to be able to test for the toxins was identified as crucial. WFP has collaborated with partners to train Public Health Officers on food safety and mycotoxin testing competence and qualification. To date 146 Public Health Officers from eight counties (Garissa, Marsabit, Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Tana River, Makueni, Samburu) have been qualified by University of Nairobi. WFP has set up and equipped 27 mini laboratories in the eight counties.
The latest training has just ended (1 – 5 March 2021) in Makueni County. Below is Caroline Mwendwa (Food Technologist WFP Kenya), Eddie Kisach (Supply Chain Officer WFP Kenya), Prof Sheila Okoth (UoN), Zahara Ali (MoH), Kevin Omwuomo (UoN). In the pictures, WFP is donating equipment to Makueni County and is being received by the County Public Health Officer for use in Makindu Sub-County).
