By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has launched an investigation into Clover (PTY) Ltd for alleged contraventions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
This after Clover informed the Commission on Friday that it had recalled 10 776 units of the Go Nuts Peanut Butter 400g products following numerous tests that revealed higher than acceptable levels of Aflatoxin.
Consumers who are in possession of Clover’s Go Nuts Peanut 400g with the best-before dates of 12, 18 and 19 June 2025 are urged to stop consuming the product and return it to the point of purchase for a full refund.
The recall by Clover comes after the Commission received five peanut butter recalls [Pick ‘n Pay’s 1Kg No Name, Dischem’s Lifestyle Brand 400g and 800g of their smooth and crunchy, Wazoogles (various sizes), Eat Naked (various sizes), and Woolworths’ Peanut Butter Dairy Ice Cream] last month as their products failed to meet the acceptable levels of Aflatoxin.
Following the recalls, the NCC had called on all producers, manufacturers, and suppliers of peanut butter, peanut butter-based products, and products containing peanuts to immediately test their products for Aflatoxin levels and submit their results to the NCC.
NCC acting commissioner Thezi Mabuza says the call to suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors of these peanut butter products to immediately test their products for levels of Aflatoxin has been an eye-opener.
“From the test results that were received by the Commission, there is an indication that suppliers were not compliant with their protocols, and regulations. We are expecting suppliers, to be specific, the retailers, to immediately recall those brands that are non-compliant. This is to ensure that we protect South African consumers from any further harm.
“The Commission will take a decisive decision to get to the bottom of the challenge. We hope that suppliers will cooperate with the Commission.”
Aflatoxins are a group of toxins produced by several fungi, especially Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These are found naturally in the environment and can be present on different crops, including maize, rice, some spices, cocoa beans, tree nuts and peanuts.
The aflatoxins are produced by the fungi while still in the field or when the commodities are stored incorrectly (in warm and humid conditions).
Aflatoxins are potent liver carcinogens, which can cause cancer in all animal species, including humans.
“It is estimated that around 4.5 billion of the world’s population (more than half of its current population), mainly in developing countries, is exposed to aflatoxins. Because aflatoxins are found so abundantly across many staple foods in developing countries, one could be exposed to low levels over a long time. In fact, this continuous exposure at low levels is known as chronic exposure and can be the cause of liver cancer many years later, estimated at around 20 years later.”
There is no safe level for aflatoxin, but countries set their own regulatory limits for such commodities to limit exposure to these toxins through food and animal feed.
Read the full NCC statement here: Clover Peanut Butter Recall.