Copper, lead present in tested sugar, says KEBS

National Assembly Trade Committee Chairman Kanini Kega (second R) with his Vice Cornelly Serem (C) chat with KEBS CEO Charles Ongwae (L), Trade PS Chris Kiptoo (2nd L) and East African Affairs PS Betty Maina (R) after the committee meeting on the controversial sugar with mercury and copper at Parliament on June 21, 2018. [Boniface Okendo/Standard]

The sugar you put in your tea could be containing high levels of copper and lead - up to 20 times above the recommended levels - according to a stunning admission by authorities.

It is a revelation that will jolt many Kenyans, considering the commodity is on the table in most places, including households, hotels, schools, hospitals, and when it is not being scooped to mix in tea or porridge, it is a sweetener for many products like snacks.