Peanut butter recall sparks food safety alert for Zimbabwean consumers

South Africa remains Zimbabwe's biggest supplier of peanut butter, and a recent product recall by ButtaNutt (Pty) Ltd has raised fresh concerns about food safety risks that could spill across the border. Authorities and consumer advocates say the development should prompt local suppliers and consumers to act swiftly to prevent potential health dangers.

The recall was confirmed by South Africa's National Consumer Commission after tests detected higher-than-legally-permitted levels of aflatoxin in certain batches of ButtaNutt peanut butter. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by fungi that can contaminate crops such as peanuts and maize, particularly during hot and dry conditions. It is strictly regulated due to the serious health risks it poses.

Zimbabwe imports the bulk of its peanut butter from South Africa, accounting for nearly 98,77 percent of total imports. Trade figures show that raw, shelled peanut imports from South Africa were valued at approximately US$2,85 million in 2024. Although Zimbabwe controls imports of basic goods through Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016, products still reach the market through both licensed channels and informal cross-border trade, making the recall relevant to local consumers.

In a statement, the National Consumer Commission said the affected products failed to meet standards set under South Africa's health regulations governing tolerance of fungus-produced toxins in foodstuffs. Exposure to aflatoxin can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain in the short term, while long-term exposure has been linked to liver damage and cancer.

ButtaNutt said it initiated a proactive recall of limited peanut butter batches produced in late January 2026 after internal routine testing detected aflatoxin levels above the regulatory limit of 10 parts per billion. The company said most of the affected stock was secured before reaching the market, but 83 units had already been released to retail shelves. It has since introduced a "Positive Release" protocol requiring every batch to be cleared with an independent Aflatoxin Certificate of Analysis before distribution.

The affected batches include Chocolate Peanut Butter 250g with best-before date 15 July 2027; 100 percent Peanut Butter 1kg with best-before date 17 July 2027; and 100 percent Peanut 2.5kg with best-before dates 13 July 2027 and 28 July 2027. Consumers who have purchased the product are advised not to consume it and to return it to the store of purchase for a refund.

Zimbabwe has mechanisms to manage aflatoxin risks through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, which is finalising a national Aflatoxin Risk Management Programme. The initiative falls under the Aflatoxin Proficiency Testing and Control in Africa programme, bringing together the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, government ministries, the Harare Institute of Technology and international partners including Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

Food safety experts warn that aflatoxin contamination carries heavy economic and health costs. African countries reportedly lose more than US$750 million annually in rejected exports due to excessive aflatoxin levels, while long-term exposure increases the burden of liver disease and cancer. Past outbreaks in countries such as Kenya and Tanzania have resulted in fatalities linked to contaminated maize.

Experts say mitigation requires strict sorting, cleaning, drying and proper storage of crops, improved hygiene during transport, and raising awareness among farmers about prevention practices.

The latest recall serves as a reminder that food safety vigilance is critical in an interconnected regional market where contaminated products can quickly cross borders and threaten public health.