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It’s either with Aromat or without Aromat. That seems to be the case with all meals in Nairobi now.
The creativity and imagination behind the bold, almost annoying advert that coincides with mealtimes is unquestionable. However, this creativity, or lack of it, according to critics, seems to have rubbed the National Bio-safety Authority (NBA) the wrong way.
The authority is allegedly preparing charges against Aromat importer, Unilever, and retail stores for selling Aromat, a food seasoning that is rapidly becoming popular in the city. Allegedly, Aromat has been found to have genetically modified (GM) ingredients.
The issue was raised by Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo (pictured), who told the Parliamentary Committee for Agriculture, Livestock and Co-operatives that Aromat contained GM ingredients.
According to NBA, Unilever did not seek its approval before importing the product, whose labelling indicates that its ingredients includes maize flour that is derived from genetically modified produce. Other ingredients are salt and a flavour enhancer. Kenya has restrictions on GM maize.
“We are taking action on Unilever because we have confirmed that Knorr Aromat indeed has GM content, contrary to the ban and Bio-safety Act.
They should have first sought approval from NBA. All goods containing GM ingredients must be approved by the NBA, regardless of the amount or quantities of the GM material.
It is only after approval by NBA that the GM materials can be appropriately labelled as stipulated by the Bio-safety Labelling Regulations of 2012,” Philip Tonui, the CEO of the authority said.
The law says only products with undetectable or less than one per cent GM content are exempted from labelling.
If found guilty, Unilever faces a fine not exceeding Sh20 million, and its executives risk jail term not exceeding 10 years.
To protect its products, Unilever went to court and in the case filed before Justice Lenaola, Unilever argues that despite the Cabinet’s decision on GMOs, there is no gazette notice banning the use of the products in Kenya, adding that there is no law existing in the country on the same.
The High Court has ordered NBA not to arrest Unilever directors for allegedly contravening importation regulations.
The authority has also been stopped from recalling Aromat products from the market on grounds that they contain GMOs until the case filed by Unilever is determined. The court heard that NBA has been collecting Aromat samples to prove that the product is unsafe for consumption.
Justice Lenaola ordered that Unilever serve the Attorney General and NBA.
The case is set for July 15.
