UNBS bans seven peanut butter brands for containing cancer causing compounds

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards has banned the importation and use of seven peanut butter products from Kenya for containing cancer-causing compounds.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the standards body says laboratory tests carried out by the Kenya Bureau of Standards(KEBS) confirmed high levels of aflatoxin, a poisonous compound causing cancer.

UNBS named the peanut butter products as Nuteez Jetlak Foods Limited, Zesta Trufoods Limited, Nutty by Nature Target Distributors, True nuts Truenutz Kenya , Supa Meal Supacosm Products Limited, Sue’s Naturals Nature’s Way Health and  Fressy Fressy Food Company Limited.

“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. All UNBS imports inspectors at border points have been notified to seize consignments of the listed brands,” the statement by UNBS says.

UNBS says it will continue carrying out market surveillance inspections to ensure that the products are removed from the market but warned consumers against 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.”