House of Natural Butters has agreed to pay a R500 000 penalty after a product safety investigation found that several peanut butter products contained high levels of aflatoxin, a toxic substance produced by types of moulds.
As reported by Cape Town Etc, the National Consumer Tribunal (NCT) recently confirmed that it had approved a settlement agreement made earlier this year between House of Natural Butters and the National Consumer Commission (NCC).
The peanut butter manufacturer reportedly accepted the fine without contest.
Contaminated peanut butter recalled from shelves
The peanut butter products were recalled in early February last year, when both Pick n Pay and Dis-Chem pulled certain peanut butter jars off shelves due to alarmingly high aflatoxin levels.
Afloxin, a group of poisonous mycotoxins produced by certain moulds, can lead to nausea, vomiting and even long-term health damage when consumed in high doses.
The recalled products included Dischem’s Lifestyle 400 grams Smooth and Crunchy, Dischem’s Lifestyle 800 grams Smooth and Crunchy, Wazoogles Superfoods (all sizes from 32g to 20kg), Pick n’ Pay’s No Name 1kg Smooth, and Eden All Natural.
IOL also reported that the NCC investigation also found that between 11 May, 2023 and 6 November, 2023, House of Natural Butters had “imported and supplied contaminated, decayed and impure peanuts, groundnuts and byproducts to South African consumers through various retailers.”
Consumers have been urged to check their homes for affected products.
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