New Quality Mark for Fresh Produce Unveiled

A mark of quality for fresh produce has been unveiled under the KS1758 Code of Practice that is aimed to scale up compliance with quality and safety regulations for fruits and vegetables.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Peter Munya, revealed that the launch of the mark of quality is part of a campaign that is meant to ensure that the food industry follows laid down procedures for good handling of fresh produce at every point of the supply value chain.

The presence of a mark of quality on fresh produce will enhance food quality and safety, and also facilitate sustainable market access through the retail outlets.

“The quality mark will not only enhance market access by addressing pesticide residue challenges and harmful organisms but also protect consumer health”, he stated.

He also revealed that despite exports in the country accounting for four percent of the total horticultural produce, 96 percent of production for the local market lacks quality checks that ensure whether they are safe for consumption or not.

“Focus has been on food security and not produces that are of quality and safety, including the inadequate capacity to effectively enforce food safety by regulators,” CS Munya added.

The fruits and vegetables bearing the quality mark will now be available in supermarkets and other retail stores all over the Country.

The quality mark was developed by the Directorate of Horticulture, the Standards Implementation Committee (SIC), and the Retail Traders Association of Kenya (RETRAK) with support from the Rockefeller Foundation.