Mombasa Info
Related Articles
Fresh produce consumers benefit from high-quality food thanks to local value chains that meet government-sponsored and other global standards. Local food companies are also pushing out of the expanded market as consumers continue to increase due to the growth of the middle class and the country’s rapid urbanization.
In July 2021, the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture introduced KS1758, a code of practice for the horticultural industry in Kenya, setting out hygiene and safety requirements in the production, handling and marketing of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.
The first company in the country to receive the KS1758 was Belmont Farm of Beyond Fruits Limited of Limuru, Kiambu County after successfully implementing farm-to-table safety measures.
When the certificate was issued to the company yesterday, Harry Kimtai, chief secretary of the State Department of Animal Husbandry at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that the standard covers an all-encompassing area of fresh produce, namely plant health, food safety, environmental sustainability, health, safety and social responsibility of workers.
“The KS1758 is a very important mark developed to ensure our products meet both local and international standards and I would urge farmers to work with other buyers to ensure their food is compliant Those who are able to produce and aren’t will see that they get better prices for their products, but it will also lead to better returns and investments,” he said.
Read the full article at www.kenyanews.go.ke.
