Cheese

Match Summary

Why This Category Gets Flagged

The three most common triggers for a compliance hold are:

• Non-compliant product labelling/ incorrect labelling, attracts a 3% penalty.
• Misclassification- i.e. using the wrong HS code to declare the product to avoid duty. Attracts a penalty for lost duty to Kenya Revenue Authority
• Short shelf life- food products must have a shelf life of at least 75% upon arrival. Goods with short shelf life risk destruction upon arrival

2. Regulatory Agencies Involved

Expert Note; Certificate of Origin from the country of origin’s chamber of commerce is a mandatory requirement.

Test Parameters

Cheese must be tested against the following parameters, to demonstrate compliance to the Kenyan standard

1. Microbiological Requirements (All Cheese)

• [ ] Total coliforms 
• [ ] Listeria monocytogenes 
• [ ] Salmonella spp. 
• [ ] Staphylococcus aureus 
• [ ] Escherichia coli
• 2. Additional Microbiological Requirements (For Fresh Cheese)
  • [ ] Yeast & mold 
  • [ ] Staphylococcus aureus 

3. Contaminants

• [ ] Heavy metals (Lead,) 
• [ ] Pesticide residues 
• [ ] Mycotoxin residues (Aflatoxin M1)
• [ ] Veterinary drug residues 

Expert Note; Testing must be conducted in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, and certificates of analysis must not be older than 6months, from the date of arrival in Kenya.

Labeling Requirements

Product Name “cheese”

Milk Fat Declaration

• [ ] Declared as % by mass, % fat in dry matter (FDM), or grams per serving (with servings stated).

Country of Manufacture (Origin)

 Name and Address

• [ ] Declared for manufacturer, packer, distributor, importer, exporter, or vendor.
• [ ] Identification mark permitted if traceable to accompanying documents.

Net Contents

Ingredients List

Storage Instructions

Date & Batch Information

• [ ] Date of manufacture declared.
• [ ] Expiry date declared.
• [ ] Batch code/lot identification declared (or traceable identification mark)

Expert Notes: All labelling must be in English and/Kiswahili. Date must be decoded in the format of dd/mm/yyyy

Other regulators

Port Health will typically request a Certificate of Analysis from an accredited lab, and might require verification of the consignment, National Biosafety authority might verify the consignment to verify presence of GMO 

Expert Notes: All imported goods meant for the retail market must have the Import Standardization mark affixed on the product before being sold into the market.

Cost Estimate

4. Estimated Costs

What Goes Wrong

Incorrect marking on dates

Recommended Next Steps

Contact your local clearing agent

Schedule a call with our experts

Product testing in accredited labs