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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda National Bureau of Standards-UNBS has suspended the importation, sale and distribution of several peanut butter products from Kenya.
A statement from UNBS issued yesterday says Laboratory Tests carried out by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), confirmed high levels of aflatoxin contamination in the peanut products including Nuteez, Zesta, Nutty, True nuts, Supa Meal, Sue’s Naturals and Fressy.
Aflatoxin is a poisonous cancer-causing compound. “Importers, distributors and retailers are informed to cease the sale and distribution of the aforementioned products and ensure that they are not displayed in retail outlets until further notice,” reads the statement issued by the UNBS Head of Communication, Godwin Bonge Muhwezi.
Adding that, “All UNBS imports inspectors at border points have been notified to seize consignments of the listed brands. UNBS will continue carrying out market surveillance inspections to ensure that the products are removed from the market.”
UNBS advises consumers to avoid buying the products.
“We would like to urge the public to remain vigilant and report the presence of such products on the market on our toll free line: 0800 133 133. UNBS, working with together with manufacturers, traders, consumers, and other government agencies, will continue to perform its mandate of enforcing standards to protect consumer health and safety and the environment against dangerous and sub-standard products,” the statement reads.
According to Nairobi news, a Kenyan online publication, Trufoods, the manufacturer of Zesta peanut butter, have since recalled the product. Nairobi news quotes a statement from Trufoods issued on November 5th, 2019, saying it will work with Kenya Bureau of Standards to establish the cause of the problem in the supply chain.
“We pledge that quality will always remain our main objective,” Nairobinews quotes a statement from Trufoods.
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