KENYA – KEL Chemicals Limited, the company at the centre of the ongoing fake fertilizer probe by Parliament,  has pledged to compensate farmers supplied with the alleged substandard fertilizer from the company. In a letter directed to the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, KEL stated that the company will conduct a thorough investigation and analysis of the presented batch, which will then enable the company to replace the product depending on the outcome of the analysis. The announcement comes days after the Ministry of Agriculture suspended the company’s operations af ..read more

BELGIUM – Intraco Ltd., a premier exporter of premixes and concentrates based in Belgium, has forged a strategic partnership with trinamiX GmbH, a leading provider of mobile spectroscopy solutions and a subsidiary of BASF.  The collaboration aims to revolutionize the feed analysis landscape by integrating trinamiX’s Mobile NIR Spectroscopy Solution into Intraco’s portfolio. This innovative collaboration brings together Intraco’s extensive expertise in animal feed production and distribution with trinamiX’s cutting-edge technology in spectroscopy.  The result is a powerful tool that ..read more

POLAND – A group of Polish lawmakers has proposed to gradually phase out genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from feed manufacturing to bolster its protein sovereignty and tackle the volatility in feed prices.  This initiative comes against the backdrop of a significant decline in feed prices, which has spurred substantial investments in Poland’s poultry industry and other European Union states. Under the proposed scheme, feed manufacturers would be mandated to transition away from GMOs, to reduce Poland’s reliance on imported GM corn and soybeans by an estimated 45%.  The plan ou ..read more

UGANDA – Recent data from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has revealed that more than half of manufactured goods on the Ugandan market are substandard. According to the UNBS report, the percentage of substandard goods on the market has surged by 7 percent, escalating from 49 percent in the previous financial year to 58 percent. Despite UNBS’s efforts to conduct inspections and seize non-compliant products, achieving only 50.4 percent of the targeted routine inspections highlights the magnitude of the challenge. The report reveals disparities in seizure rates across regions, wit ..read more

TOGO – Health experts from multiple African countries recently gathered in Lomé to establish protocols for investigating highly pathogenic influenza outbreaks, particularly focusing on the threat posed by avian influenza. Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the meeting addressed the urgent need to combat emerging and re-emerging pathogens, including avian influenza strains. The discussions centered on the recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza recorded in participating nations. Through sharing experiences and expertise, experts evaluated investigation tools and cr ..read more

GHANA – The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a stern caution to traders, emphasizing the hazardous nature of using calcium carbide to ripen mangoes and its potential health risks to consumers. In a statement released on Facebook, the FDA labeled the use of calcium carbide to quicken fruit ripening as not only hazardous but also criminal. The authority urged the public to report any instances of chemical fruit ripening, stressing the importance of consumer safety. The FDA’s statement follows a viral video suggesting the use of calcium carbide by some traders to ripen mangoes, promptin ..read more

NIGERIA – Global food giant Nestle has refuted allegations of adding sugar to its infant food products in low and middle-income countries, following revelations from a recent investigation by Swiss organization Public Eye in collaboration with the International Baby Food Action Network. The probe uncovered added sugars in Nestle’s baby food products sold in regions like Nigeria, contradicting the company’s assertions. In response to the allegations, Nestle reiterated its adherence to stringent regulatory standards and nutritional guidelines. The company emphasized its commitment to labeling r ..read more

UGANDA – In response to the proliferation of counterfeit agricultural chemicals flooding Uganda’s market, Parliament has made a decisive move to disband the Agricultural Chemicals Control Board and transfer its functions to the Ministry of Agriculture. This decision comes amid mounting concerns over the Board’s perceived inaction in combating the influx of fake and adulterated agro-inputs. With accusations of negligence and ineffective oversight leveled against the Agricultural Chemicals Control Board, Parliament has intervened to streamline government agencies and enhance efficiency in manag ..read more

SWITZERLAND – As climate change looms over coffee cultivation, Nestlé has pioneered an initiative, employing advanced data science and artificial intelligence to fortify the resilience of coffee plants against environmental threats. While Arabica constitutes a significant portion of global coffee production, its susceptibility to rising temperatures and diseases poses a formidable challenge. With climate change shrinking arable land and exacerbating water shortages, the need for resilient coffee varieties becomes paramount to safeguarding farmer livelihoods and ensuring sustainable cultivatio ..read more

U.S – Illinois Senate Bill 2637, dubbed the Illinois Food Safety Act, recently cleared a hurdle as it passed through the state Senate signaling a potential shift in food safety regulations akin to California’s landmark legislation from the previous year. This bill aims to ban the use of four potentially toxic additives—red dye 3, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, and propylparaben—from foods sold within the state. Originally, the Illinois Food Safety Act diverged from California’s model by exempting manufacturers, focusing solely on banning targeted additives through retail s ..read more