A South African peanut butter manufacturer has agreed to pay a fine following a recall in 2024.
The settlement agreement is between the National Consumer Commission (NCC) and House of Natural Butters, trading as Eden All Butters.
House of Natural Butters will pay R500,000 (U.S. $28,200) in relation to the recalls which were prompted by aflatoxin contamination.
In February 2024, the NCC received recall notifications from Dischem and Pick ‘n Pay about elevated levels of aflatoxin in some peanut butter. Both retailers had ordered products from House of Natural Butters.
House of Natural Butters recalled affected products through a series of product recalls, which began in February 2024. Implicated items had higher than legally permitted levels of aflatoxin.
An NCC investigation revealed that between May 11 and Nov. 6, 2023, House of Natural Butters imported and supplied contaminated and decayed peanuts, groundnuts, and byproducts to consumers through various retailers.
“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. Further laboratory test results from various accredited food testing laboratories established that the products were contaminated, decayed and impure,” according to the judgement.
A case between the NCC and another manufacturer of peanut butter is ongoing.
Hardin Ratshisusu, acting commissioner, said: “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.”
Wider food safety focus
Also in South Africa, Wits Business School (WBS) has launched the Food Safety Leadership Initiative (FSLI).
The announcement was made by Maurice Radebe, director and head of WBS, at the South African Food Safety Summit 2025 held in Johannesburg, an event owned and hosted by Anelich Consulting.
According to Professor Radebe, the FSLI will address food safety in South Africa and globally, with a focus on both the formal and informal sectors.
Dr. Lucia Anelich, past president of the South African Association of Food Science and Technology and founding member of the FSLI, said: “There is an increased sense of urgency in finding long-terms solutions to food safety, particularly given the issue of food safety in townships where millions of people live, purchase and consume food locally as well as several recalls that have recently occurred. Now is the time to elevate food safety to Board level.”
Ravi Pillay, former Nestlé executive and co-founder of the FSLI, said fallout from the deadly listeriosis outbreak of 2017 and the death of more than 20 children in the past two years from food poisoning highlight the need for a more collaborative leadership approach to food safety.
“The recent tragic events in South Africa highlight once again that food safety demands leadership beyond the siloed models that currently dominate our industry.”
Finally, the University of Johannesburg partnered with the Gauteng Department of Health for an event held ahead of World Food Safety Day.
The session formed part of the build-up to the Gauteng Department of Health’s official event in Naledi, Soweto. It brought together students, academics, researchers, and public health officials to see how science can be used more effectively at every level of the food chain. Third-year environmental health students performed a play covering the risks and prevention of foodborne infections.
Thokozani Mbonane, head of the Department of Environmental Health, emphasized the severity of foodborne illnesses in South Africa.
“We’ve seen numerous cases in Gauteng and across the country, but scientists believe the numbers don’t reflect the true scale. Many food-related illnesses go unreported – and many are preventable. This platform gives us an opportunity to connect science with fieldwork to better protect our communities,” he said.
In May, officials from Gauteng province reported 742 incidents and 30 deaths, mainly among children. A significant number of cases were caused by food contamination in schools and communities. The majority of foodborne illnesses and deaths were linked to improper chemical usage, mostly pesticides and insecticides.
An operation from January to December 2024 involved 11,928 inspections at formal premises and 4,301 at informal sites to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
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