The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has suspended seven peanut butter brands after they were found to contain excess levels of aflatoxin.
The suspended products include; 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.
The companies which manufacture the above-mentioned products have been asked to suspend the operation, and recall all the products from the market.
“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.
In April this year, KEBS revealed that Nuteez Peanut (mentioned above) was safe for human consumption days after it was pulled off the shelves over aflatoxin claims.
“Suspension of the Standardization Mark permit no. 965 for Peanut Butter branded Nuteez has been lifted,” KEBS said.
KEBS report came in two months after the Government Chemist disclosed that a certificate analysis of the peanut butter had revealed a high content of aflatoxins.
