Rwanda has issued a new specification for meat extract, setting standards for quality, safety, and composition for products intended for human consumption under Regulation and under Regulation.
Rwanda Sets New Standards for Meat and Fish Extracts
New quality, safety, and testing rules apply to extracts for human consumption.
What changed
Scope expanded to include extracts and juices of meat, fish, crustaceans, and molluscs **under Regulation**.
Testing methods mandated for sampling and quality control of meat extract from food animals **under Regulation**.
Composition and labeling rules established to ensure consumer information and product consistency **under Regulation**.
Who it affects
Producers of extracts must implement the specified sampling and test methods **under Regulation**.
Importers of HS 1603 goods must ensure products meet the new safety and composition standards **under Regulation**.
What to do
Review the new specifications for meat, fish, and crustacean extracts.
Submit feedback on the standards before the July 2026 deadlines.
Key dates
Compliance Analysis: Meat Extract Standards in Kenya
Kenya does not have a standalone national regulation specifically titled "Meat Extract Specification." However, Kenya is a member of the East African Community (EAC) and is bound by East African Standards (EAS) adopted by the EAC, including DEAS 1350:2026 (Meat Extract — Specification). This standard applies uniformly across EAC Partner States, including Kenya, unless Kenya has enacted a more stringent national standard. As of the provided sources, no conflicting Kenyan national standard is referenced, so DEAS 1350:2026 is the applicable regulatory framework for meat extract in Kenya.
Key Compliance Requirements for Meat Extract in Kenya
The DEAS 1350:2026 standard specifies requirements for meat extract intended for human consumption, including composition, hygiene, contaminants, packaging, labelling, and testing. Below is a structured summary of the mandatory compliance requirements under Kenyan law (via EAC standards):
1. Scope and Definition
- Meat extract is defined as a concentrated paste or powder obtained by extracting soluble substances from meat1.
- Applies to meat extract from food animals intended for human consumption2, 1.
2. General Requirements
- Meat extract must be prepared and handled in premises licensed by a competent authority1.
- Must comply with the following sensory characteristics:
3. Specific Composition Requirements
Meat extract must meet the following minimum and maximum limits2, 1:
| Characteristic | Requirement | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Total solids, % m/m, Min | 80.0 | Appendix A2 |
| Matter insoluble in water and ether, % m/m, Max | 2.0 | Appendix B2 |
| Protein content, % m/m, Min | 8.0 | ISO 9372 |
| Chloride (as NaCl) content, % m/m, Max | 5.0 | ISO 1841-12 |
| Fat, % m/m, Max | 0.5 | ISO 14432 |
4. Hygiene and Microbiological Limits
- Meat extract must be prepared and handled under strict hygienic conditions in accordance with EAS 39 (General principles of food hygiene — Code of practice)1.
- Must not exceed the following microbiological limits1:
| Microorganism | Limit | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | Absent | ISO 72511 |
| Staphylococcus aureus | ≤ 1 x 10³ cfu/g | ISO 6888-11 |
| Salmonella spp (per 25g) | Absent | ISO 6579-11 |
| Clostridium perfringens (per 25g) | Absent | ISO 79371 |
| Listeria monocytogenes (per 25g) | Absent | ISO 11290-11 |
| Yeast and mould | ≤ 10² cfu/g | ISO 21527-11 |
5. Contaminants
Meat extract must comply with the following maximum limits for contaminants1:
| Contaminant Type | Requirement | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy metals | Comply with Codex Stan 193 (Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed)1 | CXS 1931 |
| Pesticide residues | Comply with Codex Alimentarius Commission maximum residue limits1 | Codex Alimentarius1 |
| Veterinary drug residues | Comply with CXM 2 (Maximum Residue Limits for veterinary drugs in foods)1 | CXM 21 |
6. Meat Species Identification
7. Packaging
- Meat extract must be packaged in food-grade materials with tightly fitting lids to protect against physical, microbiological, and chemical contamination during storage and distribution2, 1.
8. Labelling Requirements
In addition to the general labelling requirements under EAS 38 (Labelling of pre-packaged foods — General requirements), meat extract must be labelled with the following mandatory information2, 1:
| Labelling Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Product name | Must be labelled as "Meat extract"2. |
| Species of food animals used | Must be declared2. |
| Name and address of manufacturer/importer/distributor | Must be provided2. |
| Batch or code number | Must be included2. |
| Net weight | In metric units2. |
| Date of manufacture | Must be declared2. |
| Expiry date | Must be declared2. |
| Storage conditions | Must be specified2. |
| Country of origin | Must be declared2. |
| Instructions for use | Must be provided2. |
| List of ingredients | In descending order2. |
| Allergen declaration | Must be included2. |
9. Sampling
Regulatory Enforcement in Kenya
- The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is the competent authority responsible for enforcing EAC standards, including DEAS 1350:2026, in Kenya.
- Non-compliance with the standard may result in product seizure, fines, or legal action under the Standards Act (Cap. 496) and the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act (Cap. 254).
Summary Answer
Kenya regulates meat extract through the East African Standard DEAS 1350:2026, which sets mandatory requirements for composition (e.g., minimum 80% total solids, maximum 5% chloride), hygiene (e.g., absence of Salmonella and Listeria), contaminants (e.g., compliance with Codex Stan 193 for heavy metals), packaging (food-grade materials), and labelling (e.g., species declaration, expiry date)2, 1. Microbiological limits are strictly defined, and meat species identification must follow ISO/TS 202242, 1. Sampling must adhere to CXG 50, and all meat extract must be produced in licensed premises1. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) enforces these standards under national law. No conflicting Kenyan national standard is referenced in the provided sources.
Sources
- ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-02800 — Tanzania https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/TZA/26_02800_00_e.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-02805 — Tanzania https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/TZA/26_02805_00_e.pdf