Sugar Board’s strict order on repackaging

The Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) has warned local firms against repackaging and branding sugar for sale in the local market, noting that the undertaking can only be done with the consent of the original manufacturer.

“No sugar whether imported or locally manufactured shall be repackaged or rebranded without authority of its manufacturer, additional quality tests or authority of the KSB,” said the board in a statement yesterday.

Supermarket chains and sugar importers have been repackaging sugar bought in bulk into smaller units for the local retail market and the order by KSB might complicate their business.

The industry regulator at the same time said it has upped surveillance of the sugar industry in a bid to control the influx of illegal sugar into the market.

KSB said it is collaborating with the Kenya Bureau of Standards to rid the market of illegal sugar.

“To strengthen the regulation and traceability of the commodity, the Board in consultation with Kebs has commenced a countrywide process to ensure all sugar in the market is legitimate and meets set standards,” said KSB in the statement.