Rwanda has banned seven brands of peanut butter that were suspended in Kenya a week ago.
On November 4, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) suspended brands including Truenutz by Truenutz Kenya, Fressy by Fressy Food Company Limited and Supa Meal by Supacosm Products Limited.
The others were Nuteez by Jetlak Foods Limited, Sue’s Naturals by Nature’s Way Health, Zesta by Trufoods Limited and Nutty by nature by Target Distributors.
It instructed the manufacturers to discontinue production and recall stock that had already been supplied for sale until corrective measures are taken.
Following the ban, Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) instructed the public to stop consuming the products.
The FDA’s acting Director-General, Dr Charles Karangwa, further directed importers, distributors, supermarkets and retailers to stop the importation, distribution and sale of the “incriminated” brands and return the same to suppliers amid investigations.
Dr Karangwa further instructed all importers and supermarkets to submit reports, within 10 working days, on imported, distributed, returned quantities and available quantities of each brand.
“Further reference is made to the announcement of Kebs on seven substandard peanut butter brands on sale, issued on November 4. Rwanda FDA would want to inform the public that the following brands are suspended and recalled while conducting deep investigations,” he said in the statement.
Uganda
The Government of Uganda has suspended imports of seven Kenyan peanut butter brands days after they were banned from the local market.
A statement from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) said importation, sale and distribution of the brands should cease with immediate effect.
“Tests carried out by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KeBS) confirmed high levels of aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin is a poisonous cancer-causing compound,” UNBS said.
UNBS has warned Ugandan citizens against buying the seven products and inspectors at border points have been ordered to seize all consignments with the identified brands.
The agency further noted that the ban would be in effect until further notice and reiterated their mandate to protect consumers from ‘dangerous and substandard ‘products.
“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,” KeBS said in a statement.
Kenyan Business Feed is the top Kenyan Business Blog. We share news from Kenya and across the region. To contact us with any alert, please email us to [email protected]