The Kenya Bureau of Standard has blacklisted a total of twenty seven popular maize and composite flour brands terming them as substandard.
According to Kebs, this follows a market surveillance and multiple reports from the public.
In a statement, the agency warned Kenyans against purchasing the brands as they do not meet the standards hence poisonous.
“Kebs wishes to notify the public that these maize meals and composite flour brands have not complied with the requirements and therefore should not be sold to the public until further notice and the necessary corrective actions have been undertaken by the concerned parties,” read part of the statement.
The brands include; Pembe, Budget, Equatorial Ugali Afya, Fahali and Family. Also in the list are Riri, Sima tamu, Tupike, Ugali Bora, Ziwa, Uwezo and Unga Sawa.
According to Kebs, the most notorious brands are those meant for making porridge.
Out of the 27 blacklisted brands, twelve are for making ugali, while the other fifteen are porridge brands.
“Given the significance of maize and its derived products in Kenya, Kebs has put maize meal and composite flour in the categories of products desirous of constant surveillance and monitoring,” the statement read.
Manufacturers of the blacklisted brands were directed to cease production and sale until they take corrective measures that must be confirmed by the Bureau before resumption of distribution.
The agency said it is working closely with the affected manufacturers to ensure that such non-compliances do not recur.
“Upon satisfactory resolution and conclusion of the issues, Kebs shall then inform the public once the products have met the requirements of the Kenya standards,” said Kebs.
Meanwhile, Kebs said it is committed to undertaking market surveillance and factory inspections to ensure consumer safety and a level trade playing field.
The agency warned it shall not hesitate to seize substandard products, which shall be destroyed at the expense of the owner in addition to any other legal action as provided under the law.
Last year, the agency ordered for the withdrawal of seventeen maize meal brands from the market.
According to the bureau, the brands contained high levels of aflatoxin hence unsafe for human consumption.
They included; African King, Unique, MLO, City Corn, Sarafina, Tosha, Shiba, Hakika Best, Budget, Wema, Jomba, Adardere Mupa, Afya, Uzima, Tetema and Dola.