The Department of Health Nakuru county has today destroyed 36 tonnes of assorted maize flour found unfit for human consumption due to high aflatoxin levels.
Public Health Chief Officer Dr. Samuel King’ori and his Medical Service counterpart Dr. Solomon Sirma led the destruction of the consignment at the Gioto Dumpsite.
The maize flour was seized from traders in Gilgil and Naivasha Sub Counties following market surveillance carried out by the County Government.
King’ori said aflatoxin levels was 115 parts per billion(ppb) which is 10 times higher than the maximum limit.
A court order issued on December 20th last year gave the County Government permission to get rid of the harmful product.
“We want to caution traders that any product found in the market that is not fit for human consumption will be seized and destroyed,” said King’ori
Excavator destroying contaminated maize floor packets 
County lorries carrying packets of maize floor to destruction site Harmful maize floor destruction site
The destruction of the maize was carried out using non burning methods to ensure there are no emissions.
Sirma revealed that aflatoxin produces carcinogenic substances that can cause different types of Cancer.
He said it can also damage the liver leading to sudden death as well as cause birth defects in unborn babies.
The County Government has also seized one tonne of sugar containing lead.
We took samples to the Government chemist and the results revealed the sugar has high level of lead.We are waiting for a Court Order so that we can destroy the product.
Public Health Chief Officer Dr. Samuel King’ori