The National Consumer Commission has issued a notice to all manufacturers of peanut butter and peanut butter based products to immediately test their products.

This after several retailers had to recall their products due to higher than regulated levels of aflatoxin.

The latest products to be recalled are Woolworths’ Peanut Butter Ice Cream and a limited number of products from the ”Eat Naked” range, which does not include any of their peanut butter sachets or chocolate cups as they all passed well within the levels.*

*Previous reports from the NCC suggested more products from the Eat Naked range was pulled.

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Acting National Consumer Commissioner Thezi Mabuza says the Commission is concerned by this high rate of recalls.

To understand this challenge better, the Commission has issued a notice in terms of Section 60 (2) (a) of the CPA to manufacturers and suppliers of peanut butter. The Notice requires suppliers to immediately conduct an urgent investigation, test their products for Aflatoxin, and present their results to the Commission within 14 days of receiving the Notice. Suppliers are also required to submit their Hazzard Analysis Critical Control Point Certificates.

In addition to this, the NCC extends the same call to other suppliers of products with peanuts, to also investigate and submit their results to the NCC.

Suppliers/ manufacturers must submit the results via email to Peanutbutter@thencc.org.za.

“While investigating their products, manufacturers, importers, and retailers are urged to take immediate corrective measures where their products are found to be unsafe. These include removing the products from the shelves following the NCC’s product recall protocols, informing relevant regulators in the space, as well as notifying consumers,” said Mabuza.

The risk of consuming products with higher than acceptable levels of aflatoxin may lead to health complications like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

South African consumers who have the recalled products must immediately stop consuming these products and return the products to a point of purchase for a full refund, with or without proof of purchase.

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