The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has recalled various peanut butter brands as they are deemed unsafe for human consumption. This comes a week after Pick n Pay recalled their No Name brand peanut butter due to health concerns. Yesterday, the National Consumer Commission issued a notice to recall various other peanut butter brands manufactured by House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd.

UNSAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

The commission said the decision was taken after the manufacturer; House of Natural Butters informed it of higher than legally acceptable levels of Aflatoxin, as set out under R1145 Regulation Governing Tolerance of Fungus-Produced Toxins in Foodstuffs. This means the products failed to meet the quality standards rendered the brands unsafe for consumption. The recalled products are Dischem's Lifestyle 400 grams Smooth and Crunchy, Dischem's Lifestyle 800 grams Smooth and Crunchy, Wazoogles Superfoods (all sizes starting from 32g to 20kg), Pick n' Pay's No Name 1kg Smooth, and Eden All Natural.

COMPLY

The peanut butter distributed in Pick n Pay's, Eden All Natural, and Dischem's Lifestyle brands were distributed nationally, while Wazoogles Superfoods products were distributed mainly in the Western Cape. Mabuza said while the Commission is investigating the affairs of House of Natural Butters, they will also conduct a nationwide assessment to establish whether other brands are affected. "The Commission urges the manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of peanut butter to comply with regulations and conduct urgent tests to assess the safety of the products on their shelves and take immediate corrective steps if found to be unsafe, " said Mabuza. " It is the responsibility of the manufacturers, importers, and retailers to ensure that goods comply with all applicable laws and standards of the Republic. Aflatoxin may lead to health complications but not limited to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain," she said. Mabuza urged consumers to immediately stop consuming the mentioned products and return them where they bought them for a full refund even without proof of purchase". These brands are for now not safe for human consumption".