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New details emerged yesterday showing that part of the smuggled sugar confiscated recently in various parts of the country was lacerated with heavy metals such as mercury and therefore unfit for human consumption.
In particular, the tests The documents in possession of the Government Chemist show that the light brown sugar that was held at the Moi Air Base in Nairobi had a mercury content of 0.1141 percent while the brown sugar samples the test ( or partially refined sugar) from Bungoma County contained 0.51% traces of heavy metals.
In addition, tests also show that three samples of brown sugar held at the Criminal Investigations Branch contained 0.182 and 0.201 percent.
"Some Nairobi and Bungoma sugar samples have been tested positive for mercury and therefore unfit for human consumption," says a report from
The report also states that 60% of the samples badyzed for moisture content did not meet the specification of 0.2% maximum moisture for brown sugar and 0.15% for light brown sugar.
Samples from Kiambu and Nakuru contained more than 0.25% moisture.
The report also indicates that lead was detected, but that it was within the acceptable limits of 0.5%, copper also. According to Kenya's Bureau of Standards (Kebs), more than 0.1% of mercury can damage the central nervous system, brain, kidneys, lungs and the immune system. 19659002] As with copper, more than two percent would cause kidney and liver damage. If traces of lead are greater than 0.5%, it would lead to cancer of the kidneys, brain and lungs.
The revelations occur even though the Joint Committee Investigating Contraband Sugar is expected to meet the senior management of the government chemist tomorrow
Kanini Kega, co-chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Trade, stated that the team will present its report next week, Tuesday and not tomorrow, as they have not yet received the views of the government chemist. to meet Kebs on Wednesday then we write our report. We expect to table our report next Tuesday.
The joint committee was instructed by the House to investigate the allegations of smuggling sugar imports, tax evasion and to confirm whether the sugar contained in the market contains mercury , copper and lead. Last week, Kebs filed findings that 837,244 bags of sugar samples tested and badyzed were not fit for human consumption.
To limit the entry of contraband goods into the country yesterday new measures that involve a 100% verification of the goods on certain shipments, especially consolidated goods that were the main carrier for goods of inferior quality.
Kebs also issued a Standard Importation Mark (SRI) for the UCR (Unique Consignment Reference) to enhance consumer confidence in imported products that have an impact on health, safety and security. environment.
"This will help us ensure from now on that all the goods will meet the standards at a given time only the compensated goods will be given the stickers.We must make sure that consumers have confidence in the products that They consume, "said the minister's cabinet secretary, Peter Munya.
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