Consumers, Kenya Bureau of Standards differ over plastic rice in markets

Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) Secretary General Stephen Mutoro

A consumers organisation has hit out at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) over claims of fake rice, arguing that Kenyans could be consuming the product unawares.

Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has claimed Kebs' assumptions about plastic rice in the country cannot be trusted.

He said the bureau's mandate to be vigilant was limited and could not in any way assure Kenyans of food safety.

"Let us be sincere; when was the last time Kebs recalled a product after it was found unfit? There is no way the assumption by Kebs can be taken seriously," said Cofek Secretary General Stephen Mutoro.

Mr Mutoro argued that Kebs had for a long time focused on branded goods and lacked the competence to rule out the existence of fake rice circulating in the market.

He said it was not news that fake rice was sometimes mixed with normal rice, packaged and sold to unsuspecting Kenyans.

"Some of the traders were not involved in such businesses before but they have now seen an opportunity," said Mutoro. "Kenyans should exercise extreme discretion when buying imported rice." [Graham Kajilwa]