Another peanut butter brand has been pulled from shelves in South Africa, following a notable recall in 2024.
The latest recall adds to a growing list of products recalled over safety concerns linked to aflatoxin contamination.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has confirmed that it received a product recall notification from peanut butter manufacturer ButtaNutt (Pty) Ltd.
This was after tests revealed higher-than-legally-permitted levels of aflatoxin in some of its products.
Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by certain fungi that can contaminate agricultural crops, including peanuts, and is regulated in South Africa due to the health risks it poses.
According to the NCC, the affected products failed to meet the quality standards set out under the Department of Health’s Regulation R.1145, which governs the tolerance of fungus-produced toxins in foodstuffs.
According to the Cancer Institute, exposure to aflatoxin can cause short-term health effects such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, while long-term exposure has been linked to more serious conditions, including liver cancer.
The recalled products were sold across several provinces, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.
They were distributed through a range of retailers, including independent food markets and major retail brands.
Stores affected by the recall include:
- De Dekke Spar,
- Sea Point Spar,
- Stellenbosch SuperSpar,
- Sonstraal Spar,
- Wilderness Village Spar,
- Jackson’s Real Food Market in Kyalami and Bryanston,
- Irene Farm Shop,
- Bedford Spar, and
- Pick n Pay stores in Scottburgh and The Pavilion in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as outlets such as Cannon Rocks Holiday Resort and Wilderness Village Market.
Acting NCC Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu urged consumers to take the recall seriously and act immediately.
“Consumers should immediately stop consuming the affected products and return them to the point of purchase for a full refund,” he said.
Ratshisusu added that the Commission is engaging with the supplier to determine the full extent of the contamination, including whether it may have originated from the raw peanut supplier.
Not the first recall
This is not the first time peanut butter products have been recalled in South Africa. The ButtaNutt recall is the second major recall linked to aflatoxin contamination, following a notable case in 2024 involving dairy group Clover.
In March 2024, the NCC said it was investigating Clover for alleged contraventions of the Consumer Protection Act after the company recalled 10,776 units of its Go Nuts Peanut Butter 400g.
Tests conducted by Clover found aflatoxin levels above the limits allowed under Regulation R.1145.During the recall, NCC then announced five other peanut butter-related recall notifications.
It included Dis-Chem’s Lifestyle Smooth and Crunchy peanut butter in both 400g and 800g sizes, Wazoogles Superfoods peanut butter products across all sizes, Pick n Pay’s No Name 1kg Smooth peanut butter, Eden All Natural products, and Woolworths Peanut Butter Ice Cream.
Following the wave of recalls, the NCC called on all producers, manufacturers and suppliers of peanut butter, peanut butter-based products and products containing peanuts to urgently test their goods for aflatoxin.
The NCC’s full statement on the latest recall can be viewed below:
Update: ButtaNutt has provided further details about the recall. See their full response below:
ButtaNutt (Pty) Ltd has initiated a proactive recall of a limited number of peanut butter batches produced in late January 2026. This action follows our own internal routine testing, which identified aflatoxin levels above the South African regulatory limit of 10 ppb.
While the majority of the affected stock was successfully secured and never reached the market, 83 individual units were released to retail shelves. Our primary focus is now on the recovery of these units to ensure the absolute safety of our customers.
We understand that news of a recall can be alarming, but we wish to provide perspective on the actual health risk:
- Internal Capture: This discrepancy was caught by ButtaNutt’s updated internal procedures, which were specifically enhanced following the 2024 national peanut butter recalls to provide an extra layer of safety.
- Acute vs. Chronic Risk: Health experts clarify that aflatoxin risks are primarily associated with “chronic” long-term ingestion over decades, rather than a once-off “acute” exposure. (https://sagrainmag.co.za/2024/07/31/navigating-product-recalls-and-the-implication-of-aflatoxin-contamination/)
- Safety Margin: According to scientific guidelines, an adult would need to consume over 2.4 kg of contaminated peanut butter at far higher levels than these batches (500 ppb) multiple times a week to experience immediate health effects. If you have consumed a standard serving, it is highly unlikely to cause any immediate harm.
As a non-negotiable next step, ButtaNutt is implementing a “Positive Release” protocol. Moving forward, no single batch of peanut butter will leave our facility without its own verified, independent Aflatoxin Certificate of Analysis.
Affected Batches
Please check your cupboards for the following:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter 250g: Best Before (BB) 15/07/2027
- 100% Peanut Butter 1kg: BB 17/07/2027
- 100% Peanut 2.5kg: BB 13/07/2027 or BB 28/07/2027
What to do: Please do not consume the product. Return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. If purchased online, email [email protected] with a photo of the batch to arrange a collection.
“Since starting ButtaNutt at a local university market 13 years ago, our commitment has always been to provide clean, minimally processed food that we are proud to serve in our own homes. We are deeply sorry for this experience, and I am personally overseeing a full investigation with our supplier to ensure it never happens again.” — Antoine van Heerden, CEO
