Postharvest handling of the potato is an important factor not only in preventing postharvest losses but also in maintaining its safety and nutritional quality. Exposure of the potato to unfavorable conditions such as light, extreme temperatures, and bruising can result in accumulation of glycoalkaloids, which are toxic substances. This study was a cross-sectional survey which aimed to investigate the postharvest handling practices of potatoes and perception of potato safety among open air market traders in Nairobi County, Kenya. Information was collected from 100 potato traders using a semistructured questionnaire that assessed postharvest handling practices such as potato transportation, exposure to sunlight, and storage. Results indicated that most of the potatoes (88%) took one day to be transported to the market, with the storage period at the market ranging from 2 to 3 days for most traders (42%). Forty-seven percent (47%) of the vehicles and hand-pulled carts used to transport potatoes had open backs, while 53% had closed backs. Over half (69%) of the potatoes in the markets were directly exposed to sunlight, with 75% of the traders leaving their potatoes in the open covered with a polythene bag after the day’s activities. Greening, sprouting, or bruised potatoes were mostly sold as seed, sold to restaurants and French fries vendors, or sold to consumers at a lower price. More than half of the traders did not think that consumption of greened potatoes is harmful to health. The results clearly show that there is poor handling of the potatoes by the traders which increases the risk of consumer exposure to glycoalkaloids. There is, therefore, a need to create awareness among traders on appropriate postharvest handling of potatoes to protect consumer health and reduce economic losses as well.

Background: Glycoalkaloids are naturally occurring toxins in potatoes which, at high levels, pose food safety concerns to consumers. Their concentrations in potatoes are dependent on postharvest handling, variety and stress factors tubers are exposed to. Limited information, however, exists on levels of glycoalkaloids in commercially traded potato tubers in Kenya. The current study sought to determine the glycoalkaloid levels in potatoes traded in Nairobi, Kenya.  Methods: Three potato varieties, Shangi, Dutch Robjin and Royal sold in open-air markets and supermarkets were randomly sampled and their glycoalkaloid levels determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The levels varied significantly (p<0.05). The Shangi variety had the highest glycoalkaloids with a mean of 410.35 mg kg-1 dry weight with samples from supermarkets having the highest levels (550.8 mg kg-1). The same variety from open air markets averaged 382.26 mg kg-1 dry weight compared to the Dutch Robjin (129.2 mg kg-1 dry weight) and Royal variety (98.2 mg kg-1 dry weight) which had the least levels of glycoalkaloids. Conclusions: The levels in sampled tubers did not exceed the recommended levels of 1000 mg/kg on dry weight basis and, therefore, consumption of these potatoes would not raise safety concerns. There is, however, a need to ensure that marketing of tubers is carried out under conditions that minimize occurrence of glycoalkaloids, especially for the Shangi variety, which is the most common in the markets but had relatively high levels of these toxins. There is also a need to educate marketers on the need for proper storage and handling of potatoes during marketing to avoid risk of accumulation of glycoalkaloids.

Background: Glycoalkaloids are naturally occurring toxins in potatoes which, at high levels, pose food safety concerns to consumers. Their concentrations in potatoes are dependent on postharvest handling, variety and stress factors tubers are exposed to. Limited information, however, exists on levels of glycoalkaloids in commercially traded potato tubers in Kenya. The current study sought to determine the glycoalkaloid levels in potatoes traded in Nairobi, Kenya.  Methods: Three potato varieties, Shangi, Dutch Robjin and Royal sold in open-air markets and supermarkets were randomly sampled and their glycoalkaloid levels determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The levels varied significantly (p<0.05). The Shangi variety had the highest glycoalkaloids with a mean of 410.35 mg kg-1 dry weight with samples from supermarkets having the highest levels (550.8 mg kg-1). The same variety from open air markets averaged 382.26 mg kg-1 dry weight compared to the Dutch Robjin (129.2 mg kg-1 dry weight) and Royal variety (98.2 mg kg-1 dry weight) which had the least levels of glycoalkaloids. Conclusions: The levels in sampled tubers did not exceed the recommended levels of 1000 mg/kg on dry weight basis and, therefore, consumption of these potatoes would not raise safety concerns. There is, however, a need to ensure that marketing of tubers is carried out under conditions that minimize occurrence of glycoalkaloids, especially for the Shangi variety, which is the most common in the markets but had relatively high levels of these toxins. There is also a need to educate marketers on the need for proper storage and handling of potatoes during marketing to avoid risk of accumulation of glycoalkaloids.

The overall objective of this study was to determine factors influencing the knowledge and practice of Exclusive Breast Feeding1 (EBF) among lactating mothers with infants aged zero2 to six months at Ahero Sub District Hospital in Nyando District, Kenya. A cross- sectional design was conducted to 117 breastfeeding mothers at Ahero Sub-District Hospital at Maternal Child Health clinic; these were selected consecutively until the desired sample was attained. The independent variables were maternal education, marital status, both maternal and child age, maternal employment status, health factors (place of delivery and maternal chronic illness), and cultural beliefs while dependent variables included EBF practice and mothers’ knowledge of EBF3 (awareness of EBF and its benefits), pre lacteal feeds and exclusive breastfeeding consistency. Exclusiveness was measured in time initiated (30 minutes initiation after birth) Data were collected by trained enumerators who administered a structured questionnaire. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) by running frequencies and cross tabulation. Chi square test was used to check for strength of association between variables at 95% confidence level. The study found that there was low EBF practice (33%) in the area and this posed a great concern. It was established that marital status, employment, maternal education, place of delivery and both infant and mothers’ age were closely associated with knowledge and practice of EBF. Marital status and employment were strong predictors of both knowledge and practice which showed statistical significance of P= 0.02 and P=0.00, respectively. It was evident that family support is a key factor in the success of EBF with special focus on partner involvement. Actions to empower women and promotion of EBF campaign are recommended to achieve the fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and probably reduce infant mortality in the area. Further studies are required to assess the impact of a strong focused educational program (focused on building family support) on improving EBF rates.