Peanut butter producer fined R500K for contaminated products
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.
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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Peanut butter producer fined R500K for contaminated products
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. 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. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
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The National Consumer Tribunal has confirmed a settlement agreement between the National Consumer Commission and peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd, after several peanut butter products were found to contain dangerously high levels of aflatoxin, a toxic substance produced by certain moulds. Image: Picture: Pexels/Karolina Grabowksa The National Consumer Tribunal has confirmed a settlement agreement between the National Consumer Commission (NCC) and peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd, trading as Eden All Butters. The supplier will pay a hefty administrative penalty of R500,000 as part of this agreement. This follows a product safety investigation launched after several peanut butter products were found to contain high levels of aflatoxin, a toxic substance produced by certain moulds. According to the NCC, the supplier and the commission entered into the settlement agreement on February 25, 2025, which was subsequently referred to the Tribunal. On 3 June 2025, the Tribunal confirmed the agreement and made it a consent order in terms of section 74(1) of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The NCC said it had first been alerted to the issue in February 2024 through product recall notifications issued by Dischem and Pick 'n Pay. These recalls were prompted by elevated levels of aflatoxin in certain peanut butter products supplied by House of Natural Butters. 'The NCC established 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,' the commission had stated. Following discussions with the manufacturer, it emerged that House of Natural Butters also produced items for other suppliers. As a result, the company launched broader recalls starting on February 2, 2024. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ An NCC investigation 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.' In confirming the consent order, the Tribunal noted: 'The respondent imported the products from Malawi and Zambia using trucks and trailers, via land borders and port entries. The trucks and trailers did not have the requisite certificates of acceptability required for the transportation of food. Further laboratory test results from various accredited food testing laboratories established that the products were contaminated, decayed and impure.' The matter involving another peanut butter manufacturer implicated in the case is still ongoing. Acting Commissioner of the NCC, Hardin Ratshisusu, welcomed the outcome in the House of Natural Butters matter. 'The NCC welcomes this consent order as it brings this matter against House of Natural Butters to a finality. 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.' Cape Argus
