SSNBS Takes Action Against Non-Compliant Rice and Maize Flour at Nimule Border

The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has launched a decisive crackdown on food safety violations by re-exporting three consignments of rice and maize flour discovered to be non-compliant with public health regulations during routine checks at the Nimule Border Station.

During inspections, a consignment of 1,200 bags of rice was flagged for containing live insects, violating East African Standard EAS 128:2017, which sets safety and quality criteria for milled rice.

In a related finding, two consignments of maize flour were also deemed non-compliant. One consignment, consisting of 2,200 bags, was infested with live insects, while another, containing 1,200 bags, exceeded acceptable aflatoxin levels. Both consignments breached East African Standard EAS 44:2019, which regulates the quality and safety of milled maize products.

“These products posed a serious risk to public health and were deemed unfit for human consumption,” an SSNBS official stated at the Nimule inspection point. “In adherence to Section 3.3 of the Technical Regulation Provisions (SPS Measures) 2017, we mandated their immediate re-exportation to the countries of origin.”

This swift enforcement action highlights the Bureau’s commitment to consumer protection by ensuring that all imported goods meet national and regional standards. The SSNBS is urging importers and distributors to comply with applicable regulations and conduct thorough quality checks before shipping products into South Sudan.

“This incident serves as a clear reminder that non-compliant products will not be tolerated,” the official added. “We remain dedicated to maintaining the integrity of our food supply chain.”

The SSNBS is actively collaborating with customs officials and regional trade partners to enhance food safety, protect consumers, and cultivate a compliant trade environment.