Consumer Commission calls for testing of ALL peanut butter products
All peanut butter product manufacturers have been called on to test their products for aflatoxin.
Picture: Pixabay.com
Clarence Ford speaks to Dr Lindy Rose, pathologist and senior lecturer in the Department of Plant Pathology at Stellenbosch University.
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
Over the past few days, there has been a recall of several peanut butter products to test for aflatoxin.
Initially it was just a few brands being pulled back, but the National Consumer Commission has called on all manufacturers of peanut butter products to test their products and provide results within 14 days.
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Woolworths has even had to take its Peanut Butter Ice Cream off the shelves due to high aflatoxin levels.
“The levels of aflatoxin exceed what has been legislated by the government.”
- Dr Lindy Rose, pathologist
Aflatoxins are poisonous carcinogens and mutagens that are produced by certain moulds and can be life threatening to humans.
Acute exposure can lead to vomiting and abdominal pain, and ingestion of high levels has been linked to cancers.
According to Rose, these toxins are colourless, odourless, and invisible to the naked eye, so they can only be found through testing.
She adds that consumers should be cautious at this stage and do due diligence in terms of the products they are choosing to buy.