Government bans biscuits advert, wants owners charged

Government bans biscuits advert, wants owners charged

The Ministry of Health has directed that billboards advertising NuVita biscuits be brought down and legal action taken against the owners.

In an urgent notice to all county public health officers, Director of Public Health Kepha Ombacho ordered that all nutritional claims in billboards; “a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand” be brought down.

This was after an outcry by Kenyans on social media terming the adverts as misleading.

“This is the height of madness and total irresponsibility!!! Despite the prevalence of NCDs drastically increasing in children & adults and Obesity being a leading risk factor, Mjengo Ltd, Nuvita Biscuits manufacturer has the guts to claim that “A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand”!?!? How? Why? How dare you!” said Stella Kimani on her Facebook page.

“There are nutritional claims on billboards that some biscuits are ‘a balanced diet is a cookie in hand’. This claim has not been cleared for advertisement of the Ministry and therefore such advert must be brought down immediately and legal action taken against the owners,” said Dr Ombacho.

Dr. Ombacho further cautioned against the use of artificial methods to fasten the ripening of fruits especially bananas and mangoes. He noted that traders are using calcium carbide which, the ministry says, cause serious health hazards including cancer amongst other illnesses, both to the consumers of the fruits and workers who are in direct contact with it during application.

“You are hereby instructed to stop the use of these artificial ripening agents immediately and ensure the proper practice of inspecting, examining and controlling the harvesting, ripening and marketing of fruits. You are further advised to liaise with colleagues in Agriculture on this matter,” Dr Ombachi instructed.

The Ministry noted that the nutritional claims on biscuits being a balanced diet and use of artificial fruit ripening methods are in violation of the provisions of the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act, Chapter 254.

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biscuits are a cookie in hand Director of Public Health Kepha Ombacho Government issues warning on advertisement of biscuits The Ministry of Health warning on ripening of fruits

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