The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a notice to recall various peanut butter brands manufactured by House of Natural Butters.
In a media statement, the commission said the decision was taken after the manufacturer informed it of higher than legally acceptable levels of Aflatoxin.
This comes a week after it recalled the Pick n Pay No Name Smooth Peanut Butter, Eden Smooth Peanut Butter and Eden Crunch Peanut Butter due to health concerns.
The recent recall affects Dischem’s Lifestyle 400 and 800-gram Smooth and Crunchy, Wazoogles Superfoods (all sizes); Pick n Pay’s No Name 1KG smooth and Eden All Natural peanut butter.
Pick 'n Pay, Eden All Natural, and Dischem’s Lifestyle brands were distributed nationally, while Wazoogles Superfoods products were distributed mainly in the Western Cape.
More Peanut Butter Brands Recalled. If you have any of these brands, please return to the point of purchase for a full refund pic.twitter.com/xO2a4Wasn8
— The National Consumer Commission (NCC) (@TheNCC_RSA) February 10, 2024
Acting national consumer commissioner Thezi Mabuza said that while the commission was investigating the affairs of the manufacturer House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd, the NCC would also conduct a nationwide assessment to establish whether other brands were 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.
“The Consumer Protection Act requires that goods that pose any risk of harm to the consumer be recalled. 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.
"We, therefore, urge South African consumers who have the recalled products (No Name brand, the Eden All Natural brand, Wazoogles Superfoods, and Dischem’s Lifestyle brand) 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.“
If you are looking to steer clear of peanut butter until all the makes have proved to be safe, here’s a guide to peanut butter substitutes you can try at home.