Seven manufacturers of peanut butter brands are at a risk of facing possible multi-pronged litigations for selling poisonous peanut butter containing cancer causing toxins thus endangering lives of millions of consumers amongst them children who are lovers of the condemned food pastes.
All the seven brands; Nuteez by Jetlak Foods Limited, True nuts by Truenutz Kenya, Fressy by Fressy Food Company Limited, Supa meal by Supacosm Products Limited, Sue’s Naturals by Nature’s Way Health, Zesta by Trufoods Limited and Nutty by Nature Target Distributors were confirmed having lethal aflatoxin levels.
Aflatoxins are poisonous carcinogens and cause cancer in humans and animals.
The national standardization body, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) directed immediate recall of the poison laced food paste additives.
However, the censured food products are still available on the shelves further exposing consumers to severe ill-health risks.
“The suspension follows test results undertaken by KEBS which confirm that their levels of aflatoxin is higher than the maximum limit allowed by the Standard. The Kenya Standard, ‘KS EAS 60: 2013, Peanut Butter – Specification’ states that the maximum total aflatoxin content, is 15 parts per billion (ppb) and gives maximum value for Aflatoxin B1 5 ppb maximum,” said KEBS in a statement.
Consequently, KEBS has also suspended the companies’ permits which allows them to use the Standardization mark.
This is the second time Jetlak Foods Limited’s Nuteez product is cited for similar professional flaws following similar recall of their product in February this year.
At the time, Triclover — producer of Clovers Nuts Smooth and Clovers Nuts Chocolate brands — and Mother’s Nature were instructed to discontinue the production or sale of substandard peanut butter.
Incessant recurrence of continued sale of harzdous food products by unscrupulous manufacturers selling to unsuspecting traders and consumers is a pointer to regulation inadequacies by the oversight authorities notably KEBS and the Department of Public Health.