Dis-Chem Namibia recalls peanut butter brand due to aflatoxin concerns

NAMIBIA – In response to a recent alert from the South African National Consumer Commission (NCC), Dis-Chem Namibia has pulled the Dis-Chem Lifestyle Smooth and Crunchy peanut butter from its shelves.

The NCC had revealed that House of Natural Butters, the manufacturer of these peanut butters, identified higher than legally acceptable levels of aflatoxin, rendering them unsafe for human consumption.

Dis-Chem Grove Mall health manager, Paul Zah, confirmed the removal and urged customers to return any purchased peanut butter, regardless of its condition, for a full refund.

“Notices have been prominently displayed in the store to guide consumers about the recalled brands,” he said.

“Despite having certificates for the products, Dis-Chem Namibia has temporarily halted sales and retrieval of the brand.”

In addition, he explained that the affected brand has been quarantined, and further instructions are awaited from the South African headquarters.

Zah emphasized that they source their stock from the South African headquarters warehouse, which imported the brand.

In response to the situation, other major retailers in Namibia are taking precautions. Shoprite Namibia’s managing director, Paul Malan, assured that Shoprite does not stock the affected products.

Similarly, Woermann Brock clarified that it does not carry products that have been recalled in South Africa. Pick n Pay Namibia has yet to provide a comprehensive response.

The recall stems from the NCC’s urgent call for peanut butter tests after House of Natural Butters’ products were flagged.

Aflatoxin, a naturally occurring mycotoxin, was found at higher than acceptable levels in various brands, including Dis-Chem Lifestyle, Wazoogles Superfoods, Pick n Pay’s No Name, and Eden All Natural peanut butter.

The issue gained attention when Pick n Pay initiated a recall of No Name Smooth Peanut Butter, Eden Smooth Peanut Butter, and Eden Crunch Peanut Butter, citing elevated aflatoxin levels in their in-house standard testing.

Affected products are not only being withdrawn from Namibian shelves but also in South Africa, where consumers are entitled to a full refund, with or without proof of purchase.

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