Tusker Mattress, Naivas supermarket bosses in poisonous meat saga freed on bond

Officials from Tusker Mattress and Naivas supermarkets who had some outlets shut down over poisonous meat were on Friday released on Ksh. 300,000 cash bond and surety of the same.

The managers from Tusker Mattress in Eastlands, Naivas Supermarket Gateway Mall, Naivas Supermarket Rabai Road and Tuskys Supermarket Kenyatta Avenue were also given 14 days to reapply for inspection.

Muthaiga Fine Meat officials were given a cash bond of Ksh. 200,000.

The supermarkets were found to be selling meat that had excess sodium metabisulphite content.

The officials were arrested and charged with contravening section 4 and 36(1) of Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Cap 254 as contained in Statute Law Act number 2 of 2002.

Other offenses include processing, treating, labeling, packaging, selling or advertising food in a matter that is false misleading and deception in trade.

They also face charges of endangering human life as well as engaging in businesses not captured in their licenses.

They however pleaded not guilty and Chief Magistrate Roselyn Ogayo directed that the cases be heard on August 19 and 30.

“Supermarkets will only be allowed to reopen the meat sections if they comply with the required regulations. And this applies to all food eateries in the county, ” Nairobi County Executive for Health Mohamed Dagane said.

Dagane explained that the County is also working on measures to safeguard its slaughterhouses from such acts. “More health officials will be deployed at Burma and CC Kiamaiko meet markets,” he added.