KEBS suspends 7 peanut butter brands over high aflatoxin levels

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has suspended seven peanut butter brands after they were found to contain excess levels of aflatoxin.

They 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 manufacturing the affected brands have been instructed to discontinue 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.

“KEBS will continue to undertake surveillance of the products at the factory and market to ensure that the public is protected from harmful products,” added KEBS.

In January this year, the Ministry of Health had recalled peanut butter brand ‘Nuteez’ countrywide after tests confirmed a contaminated batch in Nandi County.

In a letter dated January 29, 2019 the Government Chemists department notified the Ministry of Interior that an analysis on the said peanut butter showed it’s unfit for human consumption.

The suspension was however lifted after the manufacturing company, Jetlak Foods Ltd, has addressed the gaps that had been identified with regard to control of incoming raw materials, production process and final product testing.