The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) suspends seven peanut butter company permits which allows them to use the standardization mark.
The Standard has also recalled their products in the market after tests confirmed the level of aflatoxin to be higher than the maximum limit allowed.
The companies have since been instructed to discontinue and recall all substandard products as well as institute corrective actions.
Once the correction is confirmed, the suspension will be lifted, says KEBS.
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The products include True nuts manufactured by Truenutz Kenya, Fressy manufactured by Fressy Food Company Limited, Supa meal manufactured by Supacosm Products Limited, Nuteez manufactured by Jetlak Foods Limited, Sue’s manufactured by Nature’s Way Health, Zesta manufactured by Trufoods Limited and Nutty by nature manufactured by Target Distributors.
This ban comes shortly after the Standard had cleared Nuteez, a peanut butter product, back on shelves.
KEBS said Nuteez had been allowed back onto the shelves following an inspection of all its facilities to ensure measures were put in place so products meet standards.
KEBS announced that it had restored the standardization mark permit number 965 for Nuteez peanut butter manufactured by Jetlak Foods Ltd after the company addressed the gaps in the production of the butter that had led to its contamination.
“Yes, they contained aflatoxin but you cannot close a factory forever. We inspected their facilities and advised them on measures needed to ensure future products are safe,” said former acting KEBS Managing Director Bernard Nguyo.
“This includes quality testing of all raw materials received and maintenance of strictly high sanitation standards to ward off contamination.”
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.