By Michelle van der Spuy
A local peanut butter manufacturer whose products were found to contain dangerously high aflatoxin levels has agreed to pay an administrative fine of R500 000.
House of Natural Butters, trading as Eden All Butters, reached a settlement agreement with the National Consumer Commission (NCC) earlier this year. This follows the recall of several of its products in February 2024 due to excessive aflatoxin levels. The National Consumer Tribunal confirmed the settlement agreement on 3 June and issued a consent order under Section 74(1) of the Consumer Protection Act.
Aflatoxins are a family of toxic compounds produced by Aspergillus fungal strains that grow on crops such as maize, peanuts and tree nuts. Long-term exposure to aflatoxins poses serious health risks, including liver damage and cancer.
The NCC was first alerted to the issue in February 2024, when Dis-Chem and Pick n Pay recalled peanut butter products after laboratory tests revealed unsafe aflatoxin levels. The commission launched an investigation and determined that House of Natural Butters was a supplier to both retailers.
According to a statement issued by the NCC, the company also supplied peanut butter products to other retailers and brands. Following the discovery, House of Natural Butters initiated a broader recall of the affected products.
Further investigations confirmed that the products exceeded the legally permitted aflatoxin thresholds. It was also revealed that between 11 May and 6 November 2023, House of Natural Butters imported contaminated, decomposed and impure peanuts and peanut by-products into South Africa. These imports, originating from Malawi and Zambia, were transported in trucks and trailers lacking the required food safety certifications. Laboratory testing corroborated the presence of aflatoxins in the imported ingredients.
The commission noted that another peanut butter manufacturer is also under investigation, though its identity has not been disclosed. That investigation is ongoing.
Hardin Ratshisusu, acting NCC commissioner, reminded food suppliers of their legal and ethical obligations: “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.”
In February 2024, African Farming reported on the withdrawal of several peanut butter products from the market, including those sold under the Pick n Pay, Dis-Chem, Wazoogles and Eat Naked brands, as well as Woolworths’ peanut butter ice cream. All were found to have unsafe aflatoxin levels.
In March 2024, Clover also informed the NCC that it had removed 10 776 units of its 400 g Go Nuts Peanut Butter from shelves for the same reason. As a result, Clover is now under investigation for a potential breach of the Consumer Protection Act.
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