THOSE quick peanut butter and bread with tea morning routines might have to stop for a while.
This is because the National Consumer Commission (NCC) has called on all manufacturers of peanut butter to test their products for unsafe levels of aflatoxin, which poses a risk to one's health.
These peanut butter-based products include chocolates, sweets, cookies, ice cream, and peanut butter spreads. Manufacturers are expected to investigate and submit their results to the NCC within 14 days.
According to acting National Consumer Commissioner Thezi Mabuza, the notice comes after the commission noted concerns about the rate of recalls from suppliers, including Woolworths.
As a result, NCC has given suppliers 14 days to conduct all its investigations and submit them to the commission within 14 days.
"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," Mabuza said.
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While investigating their products, Mabuza urged manufacturers, importers, and retailers to take immediate corrective measures when 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.
At the same time, she has urged Mzansi consumers who have the recalled products to immediately stop consuming these products and return the products where they bought them for a "full refund, with or without proof of purchase".
Health risks of consuming aflatoxin
The risk of consuming products with higher than acceptable levels of aflatoxin may lead to health complications like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
On 23 February, Woolworths recalled peanut butter dairy ice cream.
At the time, they said only their peanut butter ice cream is being recalled as "all other Woolworths products containing peanut butter, including the range of peanut butter, remains 100% safe for consumption".
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