Peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters has agreed to pay an administrative fine of R500,000 after the National Consumer Commission (NCC) received recall notifications in February 2024 from Dis-Chem and Pick n Pay due to elevated levels of aflatoxin found in certain peanut butter.
NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba said the NCC found that the affected products had higher than legally acceptable levels of aflatoxin as set out under R1145 Regulation Governing Tolerance of Fungus-Produced Toxins in foodstuffs.
Ntaba said their investigation found that between May and November 2023, House of Natural Butters imported and supplied contaminated, decayed and impure groundnuts and byproducts to South African consumers through various retailers.
In its ruling the National Consumer Tribunal noted that the manufacturer imported the products from Malawi and Zambia using trucks and trailers, via land borders and port entries. It said the trucks and trailers did not have the requisite certificates of acceptability required for the transportation of food.
“Laboratory tests results from various accredited food testing laboratories established that the products were contaminated, decayed and impure,” said Ntaba.
Peanut butter maker to pay R500k penalty for contaminated products
Uncertified trucks and trailers used to import products from Malawi, Zambia
Image: Getty Images
Peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters has agreed to pay an administrative fine of R500,000 after the National Consumer Commission (NCC) received recall notifications in February 2024 from Dis-Chem and Pick n Pay due to elevated levels of aflatoxin found in certain peanut butter.
NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba said the NCC found that the affected products had higher than legally acceptable levels of aflatoxin as set out under R1145 Regulation Governing Tolerance of Fungus-Produced Toxins in foodstuffs.
Ntaba said their investigation found that between May and November 2023, House of Natural Butters imported and supplied contaminated, decayed and impure groundnuts and byproducts to South African consumers through various retailers.
In its ruling the National Consumer Tribunal noted that the manufacturer imported the products from Malawi and Zambia using trucks and trailers, via land borders and port entries. It said the trucks and trailers did not have the requisite certificates of acceptability required for the transportation of food.
“Laboratory tests results from various accredited food testing laboratories established that the products were contaminated, decayed and impure,” said Ntaba.
Justice for diner who ingested needle in hamburger
The NCC further mentioned that another manufacturer of peanut butter implicated in this matter is still being investigated.
The tribunal has confirmed a settlement agreement entered into between the NCC and the House of Natural Butters trading as Eden All Butters (House of Natural Butter).
In terms of this settlement, House of Natural Butters has agreed to pay an administrative fine of R500,000.
“The NCC welcomes this consent order as it brings this matter against House of Natural Butters to a finality,” said acting NCC commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu.
“It is incumbent upon suppliers of food products in the South African market to ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations and the Consumer Protection Act.”
TimesLIVE
READ MORE:
South African macadamia farmers eye Asian markets after US tariff jolt
Reduce food prices and add food wastage laws, urges anti-hunger movement
Ivory Coast raises projected cashew output as threatened tariffs hit exports
Government’s VAT-free offal offer is not best nutritional choice: report
Girl Scouts sued over alleged heavy metals, pesticides in cookies
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
News and promos in your inbox
subscribeMost read
Latest Videos