Spirulina is very suitable as a dietary supplement – full of proteins, vitamins and antioxidants. But for it to make it from cultivation to the plate or supermarket shelf, it needs official certification. Why? Because quality and food safety are important!
Spirulina in Kisumu
At Thriving Green, we grow spirulina in Kenya to improve local nutrition and create sustainable sources of income. Over the past year, we have worked with our partners in Kenya to set up spirulina plants in several locations. One of these is located in Kisumu and is operated there by our partners from Spirulina Dietary and Advocacy (SDAA). For several months now, SDAA employees have been able to regularly harvest spirulina there and process it into powder. This is intended to serve the local population as a dietary supplement. We also want to resell the powder to create a sustainable source of income.
Food products to be sold in supermarkets and retailers must first undergo certification by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). This ensures that our spirulina meets the high standards for food safety and quality.
How does the certification process work?
The process includes several steps:
- Sample analysis: The KEBS takes random samples of our spirulina harvest and tests them for impurities, heavy metals and microbiological safety.
- Production control: The growing conditions are checked – clean water, controlled drying and hygienic processing are crucial.
- Labeling & packaging: Consumers need to know exactly what they are buying. KEBS ensures that all information on the packaging is correct and understandable.
- Award of certificate: The official seal of quality is only awarded once all criteria have been met:
Why all this?
Food and food supplements must be safe and of high quality – after all, they end up directly on our plates. Without certification, products that do not meet the necessary standards could end up on the market. The KEBS ensures that only flawless goods are sold and gives consumers confidence in the quality.
For us at Thriving Green, this certification is more than just an official seal – it is proof that sustainable, local cultivation can deliver high-quality products. And that’s exactly what we want to make possible for the people of Kenya!
In Kisumu, we have already successfully completed the first steps of the certification process. We are therefore confident that our spirulina powder will soon be available for consumption and sale there. We will keep you up to date!
