Consumer watchdog launches probe into recalled peanut butter

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) will this week start its investigation into five peanut butter brands it recalled for having higher levels of aflatoxin. The products are:

● Dis-chem’s Lifestyle 400g Smooth Dis-chem and’crunchy; s Lifestyle 800g

● Smooth and Crunchy;

● Wazoogles Superfoods — all sizes from 32g to 20kg;

● Pick n Pay No Name brand 1kg smooth; and

● Eden All Natural.

The commission recalled these last week after they were alerted by affected shops, which picked high levels of aflatoxin during their routine testing.

According to the World Health Organisation, aflatoxin is a toxic compound that is naturally produced by certain types of moulds (fungi).

It may lead to health complications, including nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

According to the commission, Pick n Pay’s Eden All Natural and Dis-chem’s Lifestyle brands were distributed nationally while Wazoogles Superfoods products were distributed mainly in the Western Cape.

“The assessment will start in the coming week.

“They will include communicating with the manufacturers, producers, distributors and suppliers of peanut butter in the country to understand where they have sourced their raw materials, ” said CC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba at the weekend.

“All these products recalled were produced by the same manufacturer.

“The commission has initiated an investigation against the House of Natural Butters.

“We ask the consumers to immediately stop consuming these products.

“They should return them to the point of purchase for a full refund, with or without proof of purchase,” she added.