/ 23 June 1999

KENYA BLOCKING IMPORTS

KENYA’S quality control body on Monday prohibited imports of chicken, pork, eggs and all meat products from Belgium and all Coca Cola products from Belgium, France, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. The measure by the Kenyan Bureau of Standards is apparently aimed at stopping the importation of dioxin-tainted food and contaminated Coca Cola from those European countries, though the statement did not spell that out. The bureau said that its inspection officers at all import entry points have been instructed to bar the entry of the products. “Our officers are also carrying out local market surveillance for all imported chicken, eggs, pork, meat and Coca Cola products to ensure Kenyans are protected against substandard products,” the statement added. Samples of locally-produced Coca Cola are also being tested to ascertain the quality of the soft drink.