In a recent development, Woolworths has issued an immediate recall of its 2 litre Peanut Butter Dairy Ice Cream, intensifying the scrutiny on peanut butter products.
While other peanut butter items by Woolworths are deemed safe, this move closely follows Pick n Pay’s recall of No Name Smooth Peanut Butter, Eden Smooth Peanut Butter, and Eden Crunch Peanut Butter.
Moreover, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) is now urging all peanut butter, peanut butter-based, and peanut-containing product manufacturers to promptly investigate their offerings. The call extends to a range of items, including chocolates, sweets, cookies, ice cream, and peanut butter spreads, seeking compliance with aflatoxin levels specified in Regulation 2(a) of Regulation 1145 under the Foodstuff, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act, as explained by the NCC.
Discussing the latest recalls, the NCC revealed that Woolworths is recalling its 2 Lt Peanut Butter Dairy Ice Cream with barcode 6009211273436, while Eat Naked is recalling various products such as Peanut Butter Sachet, Peanut Butter Seeded, Dark Chocolate Peanut Cup, and Peanut Butter jar. Both suppliers disclosed to the NCC that their products exceeded acceptable aflatoxin levels.
The Acting National Consumer Commissioner, Thezi Mabuza, expressed concern over the escalating recalls, stating, “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 has further extended 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 [email protected].
“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.
Highlighting the health risks associated with elevated aflatoxin levels, Mabuza warned, “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 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.”
As the scrutiny of peanut butter products continues due to elevated aflatoxin levels, we invite you to share your thoughts on the matter in the comment section below.
