The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has addressed recent media reports regarding the alleged importation of unfit edible oil, reiterating its commitment to safeguarding consumer safety and promoting fair trade practices.

In a statement released on Wednesday, KEBS confirmed that it utilizes Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) for all imported products, including edible oil.

This program ensures adherence to Kenyan Technical Regulations, Mandatory Standards, and approved specifications before entering the country.

"Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) utilizes Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) to assess the quality of products imported into Kenya," KEBS said.

"PVoC ensures that imported products meet the required standards before entering the Kenyan market, safeguarding consumer safety and promoting fair trade practices."

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KEBS further clarified that the edible oil imported by the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) underwent sampling, re-inspection, and testing.

"As regards to the edible oil, KEBS sampled, re-inspected and tested the edible oils imported by Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC)," KEBS stated.

"From the tests done, the edible oil complied with all the health and safety parameters of the applicable Kenya Standard (KS EAS 769: 2019)." 

While the oil met all health and safety parameters as per the Kenya Standard (KS EAS 769: 2019), it fell short of the specified Vitamin A levels and the bureau has communicated these results to KNTC.

"However, the sampled edible oils did not meet the Vitamin A level. specified in the Kenyan Standard," the statement read.

“This is not a health and safety parameter,” KEBS emphasized, assuring the public that it remains dedicated to upholding the quality and safety of all products entering the Kenyan market.

This latest statement comes amidst concerns over the import of potentially unfit edible oil, highlighting KEBS's crucial role in protecting consumers and maintaining fair trade practices.