Health experts have warned of deadly germs found in African sausage popularly known as Mutura which poses food safety risk to the consumers.
According to the research conducted at the University of Nairobi They found evidence of all the five types of bacteria in 80 per cent of the tested samples.
“Our study shows roasted and non-roasted “Mutura” sold in Nairobi County and its environs are contaminated with staphylococcus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Proteus, and E coli organisms.”
The researchers led by Henry Karoki Wambui from the university’s veterinary department, these germs pose a severe food safety risk to customers.
“We found, Staphylococcus spp at 50.4 per cent, Bacillus spp at 19.5 per cent, Streptococcus spp 9.8 per cent, Proteus spp 2.4 per cent, and E coli spp at 1.6 per cent,” the report further stated.
Some of the bacteria found in the delicacy were found to produce hazardous toxins that can cause a sudden onset of illness in humans within three to four hours of ingestion poses food safety risk to the consumers.
Such contaminations are characterized by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as the major indications which an individual can experience after consumption.
Despite of it being prepared in unhygienic conditions, the researchers said ‘mutura’ remains a much sought after delicacy.
“Food safety enforcement authorities, therefore, need to scale up inspection of establishments where African sausages are prepared and sold,” the health experts warn.
The growing unregulated ready-to-eat meat culture in most towns, health experts warn, is a threat to public health.
The researcher had collected 100 samples of ‘mutura’ from different eatery points in Westlands market, Kangemi market and Pangani estate and found proof of all the five types of bacteria in 80 per cent of the tested specimens
Kenya has been unsuccessfully trying to stop a cholera outbreak since 2014 that has killed 421 people from 26,544 cases.
Health cabinet Secretary Cecily Kariuki told counties to be vigilant on the outbreak of cholera due to ongoing flooding in many parts of the country.
“It is good for the counties to be on the high alert more so in areas where we have informal settlements. We have recorded cases of water being contaminated particularly in the Northern Eastern counties where we also have high exposure to diseases including cholera,” said Ms Kariuki. She said western part of the country was experiencing a lot of stagnant water and therefore exposure to malaria and Rift Valley fever.
She said her Ministry had set an emergency response council which is monitoring and working with counties on a day to day basis in order to make quick and timely interventions.
After the finding of the deadly germs should mutura be banned?