The National Consumer Commission has announced a recall of certain Buttanut Peanut Butter Chocolate Peanut products after detecting aflatoxin levels above legal limits. Consumers with affected items are advised to stop using them and return them to retailers. The issue stems from failure to meet health regulations on toxin tolerances.
South Africa's National Consumer Commission has initiated a recall of specific Buttanut Peanut Butter Chocolate Peanut products following tests that revealed aflatoxin concentrations exceeding permissible thresholds. Aflatoxin, a toxin produced by certain fungi, can cause health issues such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain if consumed in high amounts.
The affected products carry a manufacturing date of January 15, 2026, and best-before dates including July 13, 2027; July 15, 2027; July 17, 2027; and July 28, 2027. Commission spokesperson Phetho Ntaba emphasized the urgency of the action, stating, “They informed the commission that the recall is a result of higher-than-legally-acceptable levels of aflatoxin detected in the product. Essentially, these products failed to meet the quality standards as set out under the Department of Health’s Regulation 1145 Governing Tolerance of Fungus-Produced Toxins in Foodstuffs Act.”
Ntaba further advised, “We urge consumers to check the manufacturing date which is the 15th of January 2026 and the best before date which is the 13th of July 2027, 15th of July 2027, 17th of July and 28th of July 2027.” Those in possession of the products should immediately cease consumption and return them to the point of purchase for refunds or disposal as per retailer instructions.
This recall underscores ongoing efforts to enforce food safety standards in the country, protecting public health from potential contaminants in everyday items like peanut butter.
