• The veterinary association notes that use of the chemical was allowed under the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act but it has been abused.
• The disorder in the sector has been blamed on shortage of veterinary doctors
Image: REUTERS
The Kenya Veterinary Association has warned that excessive use of preservatives on meat and dairy products is on the rise and wants the chemicals banned as a health risk to consumers.
This comes a day after an NTV expose that supermarkets were using sodium metabisulfite to preserve their meat.
The veterinary association noted that use of the chemical was allowed under the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act CAP 254 but its use had been abused.
KVA national chairman Dr Samuel Kahariri said unhygienic handling of meat and uncontrolled use of veterinary medicines in food animals poses human health risks. He said there are no detailed guidelines on the use of chemical preservatives, though they are approved by law.
“As a result, the preservatives exceed the Maximum Residue Limit when used, thus rendering the meat unfit for human consumption and the government should ban their use,” he said.
Kahariri attributed the disorder in the sector to an acute shortage of veterinary doctors, saying this should be urgently addressed by the national and county governments.
“We urge the national government to conduct an urgent audit of all the slaughter facilities countrywide and ensure each has a meat inspector,” he said.
Preservatives exceed the Maximum Residue Limit when used, rendering the meat unfit for human consumption and the government should ban their use.KVA national chairman Dr Samuel Kahariri
Kahariri said that today one meat inspector was in charge of as many as nine slaughterhouses in some cases.
“In cases where it may not be possible to employ a veterinary doctor, we urge the government to close such facilities to curb the rise in meat adulteration and uphold public health,” the KVA boss said.
The vet said it's necessary to fast-track review of the Meat Control Act to establish a Kenya Meat Board.
"The government should facilitate a joint team of the National Veterinary Public Health Service to conduct inspection and regular meat surveillance in all the slaughterhouses and butcheries to restore the customer confidence,” he said.
In order to revamp the animal resource industry, at least 50 additional veterinarians should be employed in the national governments to replace the retired officers, the chairman said.
(Edited by Eliud Kibii)