Peanut butter maker fined after Pick n Pay, Dis-Chem recall
Supplied/ Pick n Pay
Peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters has agreed to pay a R500 000 fine more than a year after its products were recalled from Pick n Pay and Dis-Chem stores.
In February last year, Pick n Pay recalled some peanut butter brands that contained higher-than-allowed aflatoxins, toxins produced by fungi.
Pick n Pay recalled its No Name Smooth Peanut Butter, as well as the Eden peanut butter brand.
Dis-Chem also recalled its own Lifestyle peanut butter.
Both retailers confirmed that the National Consumer Commission (NCC) found they were supplied by House of Natural Butters.
When the NCC investigated the company, they found it had supplied contaminated and decayed impure peanuts, groundnuts and other products to several retailers between May and November 2023.
'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.'
The NCC said that laboratory test revealed the products were 'contaminated, decayed and impure'.
The company, which is trading as Eden All Butters, agreed to pay the fine, which was confirmed by the National Consumer Tribunal last week.
Meanwhile, the NCC said that another peanut butter manufacturer implicated in the matter was also being investigated.
Acting NCC commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu said in a statement: 'The NCC welcomes this consent order [from the tribunal] 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.'
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