Regulatory bodies confirm Mount Kenya Milk meets safety, quality standards

KENYA – Mount Kenya Milk has been officially declared safe for consumption by Kenya’s top food safety regulators, following a wave of social media posts questioning its quality. 

The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) conducted thorough inspections and laboratory tests, confirming that the dairy products meet all national and international safety requirements.

The Meru Central Dairy Co-operative Union, which produces Mount Kenya Milk, came under scrutiny after unverified claims about its products circulated online.  

In response, both KDB and KEBS launched immediate investigations to assess the milk’s compliance with health and safety regulations.

Dr. Margaret Kibogy, Managing Director of KDB, stated that the National Dairy Regulatory Laboratory, accredited under ISO 17025 standards, conducted comprehensive tests on Mount Kenya Milk. 

“The results confirm that the product fully complies with all microbiological, chemical, and physical safety standards, including strict limits on aflatoxin levels,” she said. “Consumers can trust that this milk is safe.”

KEBS Director Dr. Godfrey Murira echoed these assurances, noting that Mount Kenya UHT Milk had passed all required surveillance checks. 

“The product carries our Standardization Mark (SM#774) and Diamond Mark (DM#1183), which are only issued after rigorous testing,” he said. “There is no doubt about its compliance with Kenyan and East African safety standards.”

The Meru Central Dairy Co-operative Union, which processes approximately 253,000 liters of milk daily, strongly denied the allegations, calling them “baseless rumors intended to harm our reputation.” 

In a press release, the Union emphasized its commitment to transparency and invited customers, journalists, and regulators to visit its facilities for verification. 

“We operate under strict oversight from KDB and KEBS, and we will not tolerate misinformation that undermines consumer trust,” the statement read.

Industry experts have pointed to this incident as an example of how quickly unverified claims can spread online, even when official safety mechanisms are in place. 

James Mwangi, a dairy sector analyst, noted that Kenya’s food safety regulations are among the most stringent in Africa.

 “The prompt response from regulators shows that the system works, but it also highlights the need for consumers to verify information before sharing it,” he said.

To reinforce confidence in its products, the Union has published its compliance certificates online and established a customer hotline  for inquiries. 

Authorities have also urged the public to report any suspicious claims directly to KDB or KEBS for verification.

With the regulatory clearance now confirmed, Mount Kenya Milk remains available in markets nationwide, bearing the official KEBS certification marks as proof of its safety. 

Consumers have been advised to look for these marks when purchasing dairy products and to rely on official statements rather than unverified social media posts.