In a significant move to safeguard public health, the Nairobi County Assembly’s Health Committee has ordered the immediate closure of all Carrefour and Naivas supermarket outlets within the city. This directive follows inspections that uncovered expired food products on shelves and food handlers who had not undergone mandatory medical testing, posing serious health risks to consumers.
Health Committee Chairperson Maurice Ochieng revealed that inspections at various supermarket branches revealed concerning health violations. At the Naivas branch on Moi Avenue, expired products were found on the shelves, posing a serious health risk to consumers. Furthermore, many of the supermarket’s food handlers had not undergone the required medical testing, contravening public health regulations.
Similarly, inspections at Carrefour outlets revealed that most food handlers had not been tested, violating the Public Health Act. As a result, the Health Committee issued closure notices to both supermarket chains, directing them to cease operations until compliance with health regulations is achieved.
This development highlights ongoing concerns about food safety in Nairobi’s retail sector. In 2019, Machakos County ordered the closure of Naivas supermarket’s meat sections after tests showed harmful amounts of preservatives in their stock, prompting a nationwide suspension of red meat sales across all Naivas stores. Additionally, Nairobi County health officials closed down six meat retailers after tests showed harmful amounts of preservatives in their stock, including Naivas outlets in Mavoko.
Also read: Naivas Denies Allegations of Selling Expired Products and Branch Closures
These incidents underscore the need for stringent enforcement of food safety standards to protect consumers from health risks associated with expired products and untested food handlers.
In response to these challenges, Nairobi County is implementing the Food Safety Policy 2024–2030, aimed at regulating the food supply chain to decrease foodborne illnesses and enhance trade. The policy emphasizes the importance of food safety in safeguarding public health and fostering sustainable development.
