Nakuru County has acquired a state-of-the-art aflatoxin testing machine (Elisa Plate Reader) to enhance the quality control and standardized packaging of local food products.
Through the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology – JKUAT’s European Union Funded Food Fortification Project, the Department of Health received the equipment, that will ease the testing and certification of food samples that was in the past done in Nairobi.
Governor Susan Kihika, while announcing the arrival of the Elisa Plate Reader, assured the residents of fresh and quality products in the food sector, emphasizing safety in staple foods.
“We have now bid farewell to transporting food samples to Nairobi for testing. We will now generate quicker results, with reduced logistics, and a guarantee of fresh, quality products for our people,” she noted.
Kihika also promised to raise the County’s capacity for aflatoxin surveillance, which will effectively safeguard the safety of various food products such as maize, wheat flour, sorghum and groundnuts that are prone to contamination.
Public Health Chief Officer, Alice Abuki stated that with the introduction of this machine, the county will experience expedited results, streamlined logistics, and the assurance of high-quality products in the market.
While delivering the equipment, JKUAT’s Principal of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Professor Daniel Sila, emphasized the importance of the public to access safe foods, for a healthier nation.
“The University, through the Project, has been able to support food fortification and safety programmes, with an emphasis on research-based decision making,” he said.
In November last year, the University launched a Food Fortification Reference Laboratory, in a bid to aid the government’s efforts in fighting malnutrition. The Laboratory helps in the addition of essential micronutrients in widely consumed foods such as maize flour, edible oils, salt, and wheat flour.
Nakuru County residents, took to Governor Khika’s Facebook handle to congratulate her for the ‘big win’ noting that food safety was key for development.
“We will support you to make sure aflatoxin is less in food to avoid cancer while making sure our consumers have safe and healthy food with all nutrients,” noted Esther Mwangi, a miller in the county.
By Anne Sabuni
