Government Bans 3 More Brands of Peanut Butter

The government through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on Monday banned three more brands of peanut butter from the market.

Days after banning Jetlak Foods Ltd peanut butter brand ‘Nuteez’, KEBS indicated that three additional brands do not conform with the assessment standards due to contamination with high levels of aflatoxin.

Triclover’s ‘Nuts Smooth’ and ‘Nuts Chocolate’ peanut butter brands were found to be at 36.44ppb and 44.25ppb.

"Tests undertaken on the samples have confirmed that the level of aflatoxin is 2.13 parts per billion (ppb), which is higher than the maximum limit allowed by the standard," Nguyo Bernard, the Acting KEBS Managing Director stated.

‘Mother nature’ peanut butter brand manufactured by Mother Nature’s Product reportedly had aflatoxin levels at 27.26ppb.

These levels are considerably high given that the maximum total aflatoxin content should be 15 ppb.

KEBS said it had conducted an inspection of the Jetlak Foods Ltd factory and seized all the peanut butter at the factory.

Finding the products unsafe for consumption, the MD noted that KEBS “Consequently, suspended the permit to the company that allows it to use the standardization mark for its Nuteez brand and the firm directed to recall all the products in the market.”

Following the suspension of manufacturing permits for the products, KEBS directed that the companies should discontinue the manufacturing and sale of all substandard peanut butter as well as recall all the affected products.

Jetlak Foods Limited, the parent company of peanut butter brand ‘Nuteez’ has since denied knowledge of any contamination maintaining that its products are of the highest quality standards.