KEBS Sets New Code of Hygiene for Miraa Distribution

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has unveiled a new code of practice that will ensure sanitary production and distribution of Miraa produce in the country.

KEBS Managing Director, Bernard Njiraini revealed that the unhygienic handling of Miraa and Miraa products was cited as one of the main challenges experienced in the sector and it has posed many safety risks to consumers.

Therefore, the unveiling of the new Kenya National Workshop Agreement (KNWA) – KNWA 2940: 2021, Miraa (Khat) industry Code of practice is set to rectify this. The new code of practice is set to ensure that there will be hygienic handling of the produce from the farms to the final distribution channels.

“This will facilitate businesses to meet market and pre-export sanitary and phytosanitary requirements,” said Njiraini.

The new code of practice requires operators in the miraa supply chain including growers, propagators, aggregators, transporters, and cargo handlers to observe strict hygiene practice. They will need to comply with food packaging requirements and adhere to relevant regulations such as worker’s health, welfare, and safety. The drug would be required to have kept daily relevant records and a labelling system that would ensure easy traceability of the produce.

The code was developed following consultation with the Ministry of Industrialisation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and Cooperatives, Trade and Enterprise Development (MoITED), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).