Pixabay
The National Consumer Commission has called on manufacturers of peanut butter and peanut-butter-based products to "immediately test their products" for aflatoxin levels.
Acting commissioner, Thezi Mabuza, said this is to determine whether their products meet the acceptable levels of aflatoxin as set out in legislation.
She said the appeal also followed the recall of various peanut butter products by several suppliers, with the latest being Woolworths and Eat Naked.
Mabuza said Woolworths is recalling their 2 Lt Peanut Butter Dairy Ice cream with barcode: 6009211273436, while Eat Naked is recalling various products including their Peanut Butter Sachet, Peanut Butter Seeded, Dark Chocolate Peanut Cup, and Peanut Butter jar.
"Both suppliers informed the Commission that their products were found to have higher than acceptable levels of aflatoxin," she said.
Mabuza said the NCC was concerned by this "high rate of recalls."
"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," Mabusa said, adding that suppliers were also required to submit their hazard analysis critical control point certificates.
She said, in addition, the NCC is extending 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," Mabuza said.
The NCC said the risk of consuming products with higher than acceptable levels of aflatoxin may lead to health complications like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
