Ensuring Safe Milk Production in Kenya

In Runyenjes, Embu County, dairy farmer Mike Gitonga exemplifies safe milk production practices, emphasizing hygiene, animal care, and proper handling. Gitonga’s dedication, from cleaning milking equipment to ensuring his cows receive balanced, clean fodder, highlights the importance of preventing milk contamination.

Experts like Joseph Naimodu of Olepolos Dairy Cooperative stress that safe milk is free from contaminants and fit for consumption. They urge education on milk handling, warning against practices like milking shortly after administering medication to animals or feeding cows with aflatoxin-contaminated fodder.

The threat of aflatoxins, harmful toxins found in improperly stored feeds, is a significant concern. Veterinary surgeon Dr. Miseda Were explained that these toxins can transfer from feed to milk, posing severe health risks like cancer and stunted growth.

To combat such challenges, Bio Foods and Lato Milk have introduced a precision-cut maize silage project to provide affordable, nutritious, and safe fodder. This initiative, part of the Kenya Livestock Sector Steering Committee, aims to improve milk quality and production while reducing costs.

The Kenya Dairy Board, through its Safe Milk campaign, advocates for rigorous milk testing and quality-based payment systems to ensure consumer safety. The updated Dairy Bill 2024 will tighten regulations on milk production, addressing outdated laws from 1957.

Bio Foods CEO Joachim Westerveld emphasized sustainability in dairy farming, linking farmer prosperity, consumer safety, and environmental protection. The campaign promotes a holistic approach, from toxin-free feed to rigorous milk testing, to ensure high-quality, contaminant-free milk for consumers.