Kenya maize harvest contaminated

Nairobi, 03 June-(ANA)-There is growing alarm among Kenyan farmers about a government announcement that 2.3m bags of maize were unfit for human consumption.

Health experts say the maize contained high levels of lethal aflatoxins, which have killed at least one child.

The government has pledged to buy and destroy the contaminated maize.

The crop was harvested in the drought- and famine-prone Eastern Province and went bad because farmers lacked the appropriate storage facilities.

The east of Kenya is regularly hit by drought and food shortages.

Maize can be hit by a toxic fungus if it is not stored properly.

There have reportedly been more cases of maize-related food poisoning, and farmers in areas where the maize was harvested are still not sure what is safe to eat. (ANA)

FA/ANA/03 June 2010-------