SOUTH AFRICA- The South African National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a critical notice to all manufacturers and suppliers of peanut butter, peanut butter-based products, and items containing peanuts.
The notice requires manufacturers and suppliers to test their products for aflatoxin and submit the results to the NCC within 14 days.
The NCC has therefore called on all peanut butter manufacturers and suppliers to conduct urgent investigations into their products’ aflatoxin levels, adhering to the standards outlined in Regulation 1145 of the Foodstuff, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act.
Additionally, they must provide Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certificates. The NCC extends this call to other suppliers of products containing peanuts, such as chocolates, sweets, cookies, and peanut butter spreads.
Manufacturers, importers, and retailers are urged to take immediate corrective measures if their products are deemed unsafe.
This includes removing the affected items from shelves following the NCC’s product recall protocols, notifying relevant regulators, and informing consumers.
South African consumers who have purchased the recalled products are also urged to cease consumption immediately and return the items to the point of purchase for a full refund, with or without proof of purchase.
This directive comes in the wake of recalls by several suppliers, including Woolworths and Eat Naked, who recently withdrew their peanut butter products from the market due to elevated aflatoxin levels.
Woolworths has recalled its 2 Lt Peanut Butter Dairy Ice cream, while Eat Naked is recalling various products, including Peanut Butter Sachet, Peanut Butter Seeded, Dark Chocolate Peanut Cup, and Peanut Butter jar.
Both companies reported higher than-acceptable levels of aflatoxin in their products to the NCC.
Ms Thezi Mabuza, the Acting National Consumer Commissioner, expressed concern about the increasing number of recalls and issued the notice to prompt immediate action.
Ms. Mabuza emphasized the potential health risks associated with consuming products with elevated aflatoxin levels, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Meanwhile, the NCC has set up an email address, for suppliers to submit their investigation results.
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