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KEBS revokes permits over misuse of fruit-juice certification on khat drinks

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KEBS says some manufacturers have used fruit-juice permits to market jaba juice, even though khat-derived products are excluded from its certification scheme.   KENYA – The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) says it has revoked certification permits in identified cases of misuse after finding manufacturers using fruit-juice and fruit-drink approvals

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Ethiopia expands accredited honey testing to 23 pesticide residues and three heavy metals

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The expanded accreditation gives honey producers and exporters more testing options locally, potentially reducing the cost and delays of sending samples overseas.   ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia has expanded its accredited honey-testing services to cover 23 pesticide residues and three heavy metals, bringing more of the checks needed by producers, exporters

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AOAC certifies sample-preparation cartridge for pesticide testing

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SmartSPE-C is the first product certified under AOAC’s consumables programme, with approval covering the clean-up of specified food extracts before pesticide analysis.   USA – AOAC’s Research Institute has awarded its first Performance Tested Consumables certification to SmartSPE-C, a cartridge used to prepare food extracts for pesticide and environmental-contaminant analysis.

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Laboratory personnel in white coats reviewing analytical software at LaNSA in Togo.

Togo’s national food laboratory adds testing for more than 150 pesticide residues

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LaNSA has announced an LC-MS/MS service for maize, rice and soy, alongside additional testing for alcoholic drinks. TOGO – Togo’s National Food Safety and Phytosanitary Laboratory (LaNSA) says it can now detect and quantify more than 150 pesticide residues in maize, rice and soy, expanding its analytical services for food

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Exterior of a Konecta workplace in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where employees were treated after a suspected foodborne illness outbreak

Madagascar finds E. coli, moulds and yeasts after 292 Konecta workers fall ill

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Two of four food samples collected during the workplace catering investigation failed safety requirements, but authorities have not identified the food or organism responsible for the illnesses.   MADAGASCAR – Laboratory tests in Madagascar have found excessive levels of Escherichia coli, moulds and yeasts in food samples collected after a

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AflaSafe production capacity

AflaLivre reports nearly 200 tonnes of Aflasafe from Mozambique plant

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The Nampula facility is supplying Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, but distribution, affordability, testing and grain certification will determine whether local production translates into safer food.   MOZAMBIQUE – A Mozambican factory produced close to 200 tonnes of the aflatoxin-control product Aflasafe during its first year of local production, according to

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Guinean officials inspect opened rapid food-testing kits during their presentation at the BNIQ in Conakry.

Guinea receives seven rapid food-testing kits for border controls

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Four high-volume land crossings and Conakry’s conventional port are first in line for on-site food screening, but authorities have not disclosed what hazards the equipment can detect or how initial findings will be confirmed. GUINEA – Guinea has received seven rapid food-testing kits intended to strengthen controls on food entering

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Worker checking a temperature monitor inside a commercial cold store containing frozen food

Liberia finds 76% of inspected cold stores outside safe temperature ranges

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Nationwide inspections also exposed weak handwashing and temperature-record systems, but authorities have not disclosed how many cold stores were assessed or what happened to food exposed to temperature excursions. LIBERIA — More than three-quarters of the cold stores examined during a nationwide inspection drive in Liberia recorded temperatures outside prescribed

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Ghana launches five-year heavy-metals plan after tests flag turmeric, cereal mixes

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The 2026–2030 strategy promises stronger surveillance, laboratory capacity and enforcement after a nationwide assessment identified lead and cadmium failures in selected food and consumer products. GHANA – Ghana has launched a five-year national strategy to reduce exposure to lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic across its food system, following evidence of

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Kenya elected to ISO Council for 2027–2031 after topping five-country vote

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KEBS Director-General Esther Ngari will lead Kenya’s representation on ISO’s core governance body, giving the country a formal role in strategic and policy decisions. The position does not, however, give Kenya control over individual international standards. KENYA – Kenya has been elected to the Council of the International Organization for

Kenya elected to ISO Council for 2027–2031 after topping five-country vote Read More »