Health officers issue a warning on fake yoghurt in the market.
Shocking as Health officers issue a red alert on bogus yoghurt in Nakuru.
The product was captured by authorities from the ministry in Manyani estate, where it was being processed and packaged ready for market in Nakuru town and its environs.
Speaking after realization of the illegal manufacturing plant, Nakuru East Public Health Officer Vanice Kwamboka said, the officers were conducting a polio vaccination exercise when residents informed them about the illegal processing.
Kwamboka said,”The ingredients used for making the product include corn flour – a product specially made for thickening soups, sauces and gravies, food colouring and henna – a product used for decorating nails mostly by women and dying hair.
One of the health officers confirmed that indeed to make the product, the suspects mixes corn flour in water with stabilisers to smoothen the texture and then adds food colouring, henna and sugar.
The officer said,”The illegal product does not have any milk content. The product is harmful because of chemicals used such as henna, a product used for decoration.”
However, on the bottle of the fake product indicates that the ingredients used were milk, sugar, skimmed milk powder, live cultures, permitted food colouring and flavours.
Kiarie, one of the hawkers of the product stated that the fake yoghurt is highly consumed compared to the standardized one.
“Clients prefer the product because it is cheaper. For example, 500ml is sold at Sh70 as compared to others, which go for at least Sh100,” stated Kiarie.
County Public Health Officer Samuel King’ori has warned consumers to be on high alert of the product.
King’ori said,”Consumers should be keen while purchasing processed foodstuffs sold in supermarkets because it has come to our attention that illegal traders have invaded the market to supply sub-standard food.”
Also read Court adjourns 7.4Bn case against DP Gachagua