By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Woolworths group has issued a recall for its Peanut Butter Ice Cream – adding to the list of peanut butter product recalls in South Africa.
The retailer said that only the peanut butter ice cream is being recalled, and all other Woolworths products containing peanut butter – including its range of standa-alone peanut butter – remain 100% safe for consumption.
The group’s decision comes just weeks after the National Consumer Commission issued a recall of various peanut butter brands from circulation.
The peanut putter brands include Dischem’s Lifestyle, Wazoogles Superfoods, Pick n Pay’s No Name Brand, and Eden All Natural.
The brands in question were found to have higher than legally acceptable levels of Aflatoxin, as set out under R1145 Regulation Governing Tolerance of Fungus-Produced Toxins in Foodstuffs.
What is aflatoxin?
Aflatoxins belong to a group of molds produced during food production by various fungi, notably Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. They are found naturally in the environment and can contaminate a range of crops during growth, processing and storage, including maize, rice, spices, cocoa beans, and notably, peanuts.
The production of aflatoxins is heightened under warm and humid storage conditions, posing a significant risk if proper precautions aren’t observed.
What are the side effects?
The side effects of aflatoxin exposure are multifaceted and may be severe in the case of overexposure, which have not been the case in neither Pick n Pay nor Woolworths recalls.
These toxins are potent liver carcinogens, capable of inducing cancer in various animal species, including humans. However, it’s crucial to note the principle of dosage in toxicity – the harmful effects manifest only when the concentration of the toxin exceeds a certain threshold within the body.