Manufacturers of peanut butter urged to test products

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has urged all manufacturers of peanut butter to start testing their products to determine whether they meet the acceptable levels of aflatoxin.

PICTURE: Pixabay

This comes after various retail stores recalled peanut butter products for having elevated levels of aflatoxin, which may be harmful to humans.

Some of the products recalled were from Pick n Pay No-Name and Eden All Natural peanut butter. Woolworths recently recalled their peanut butter ice cream. Eat Naked also recalled various products including their Peanut Butter Sachet, Peanut Butter Seeded, Dark Chocolate Peanut Cup, and Peanut Butter jar.

‘’Following several suppliers who recalled various peanut butter products, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) calls on all manufacturers of peanut butter, peanut butter-based products and products with peanuts (including but not limited to chocolates, sweets, cookies, ice cream, and peanut butter spreads) to immediately investigate their products. This is to determine whether their products meet the acceptable levels of aflatoxin, set out in Regulation 2(a) of Regulation 1145 of the Foodstuff, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act,’’ said Thezi Mabuza, Acting National Consumer Commissioner.

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. 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,’’ she added.

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

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

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

 

Done By: Mitchum George