The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has warned manufacturers and traders against displaying its Standardisation Mark (S-Mark) on beverages infused with khat, commonly known as miraa.

In a public notice issued on Friday, October 16, KEBS said it found that some manufacturers had been using permits approved for fruit juices and drinks to market beverages containing miraa.

The agency clarified that its S-Mark permits only cover products specifically approved under the relevant certification, meaning they cannot be used to certify unrelated products.

It noted that miraa and its derivatives are currently excluded from its list of certified products due to regulatory concerns surrounding the stimulant substances they contain.

“KEBS currently excludes khat and khat-derived products from its product certification scheme because of the regulatory considerations relating to khat and its psychoactive constituents, including cathinone and cathine. KEBS has therefore not issued Standardisation Mark permits for any khat-infused beverages,” the bureau wrote.

The bureau warned that manufacturers and traders who misuse the certification mark could face enforcement action under the Standards Act, Cap. 496.

KEBS added that it would continue conducting market surveillance to identify businesses misrepresenting the certification status of their products, disclosing that it had already revoked permits in cases of violations.

The bureau cautioned traders that falsely claiming KEBS approval for such products misleads consumers and undermines efforts to uphold standards and ensure compliance with regulations.

Consumers were also advised not to assume that such beverages have received official approval simply because they carry the familiar standardisation mark.

Members of the public were encouraged to check product certification through its official verification channels , including SMS code 20023, and report suspected misuse through its toll-free line.

The warning comes months after the government reopened designated Kenya-Somalia border points in February to facilitate road transport of miraa to Somalia, following requests from traders .

In 2025, the Ministry of Cooperatives announced plans to regulate miraa supply through specialised cooperatives and strengthen security along transport routes, while securing Djibouti as an additional export market.