County gets Aflatoxins test kits
Uasin Gishu, Thursday, May 18, 2023,
KNA by Ekuwam Sylvester
Cereals farmers in Uasin Gishu County got some relief after the World Food Programme (WFP) offered them an assortment of aflatoxin testing equipment to ensure their produce were safe for consumption.
Residents of Uasin Gishu are now safe from the threats of food poisoning brought about by the traces of aflatoxins in some of the locally produced grains like maize, wheat, sorghum and others
The move is a huge boost to the health sector in protecting the residents against the food poisoning which has since been rampant and which has been attributed as the main predisposing factor to the increased cases of cancer.
Speaking while receiving the equipment, Health Services Executive Dr. Sam Kotut pointed out that they will now be able to test the aflatoxins found in grains, a relief to many farmers within the County who engage in planting various grains, noting that it has been a problem for many years to check for aflatoxins in the grain products.
“For many years it has been a problem to test for aflatoxin, we usually test moisture content. The higher the moisture content, the higher chances of aflatoxins presence and when aflatoxins come in there is food poisoning,” said Dr. Kotut.
He further noted that they are building an arsenal of equipment to be used in measuring and improving healthcare in the county.
The assorted equipment includes
In her remarks, Promotive and Preventive Health Chief Officer, Mrs. Joyce Sang appreciated the partners for their support, partner for the initiative adding that they aimed at ensuring each of the six sub counties in Uasin Gishu receives the machines so that the farmers across various communities can be able test the levels of aflatoxins in their cereals to avoid cases of food poisoning.
Courtesy; K.N.A
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