The National Consumer Tribunal has approved a penalty of R500,000 against House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd, the manufacturer trading as Eden All Butters, for supplying peanut butter contaminated with aflatoxin—a poisonous substance that can cause cancer.
House of National Butters forks out R500K fine for selling peanut butter with aflatoxin
The fine stems from a settlement agreement between the company and the National Consumer Commission (NCC), which was made official on 3 June 2025 under the Consumer Protection Act.
The penalty follows an investigation launched in early 2024 after major South African retailers, including Dischem and Pick n Pay, issued product recalls due to high aflatoxin levels found in certain peanut butter products.
Aflatoxin is a toxic substance produced by specific moulds that grow on food items, especially under warm and humid conditions.
It is most commonly found in crops like peanuts, maize, and tree nuts.
Consumption of large amounts over time can lead to liver damage, cancer, and even death. The South African government regulates how much aflatoxin is allowed in food to keep consumers safe.
According to the NCC, the contaminated peanut butter supplied by House of Natural Butters contained aflatoxin levels that were above the legal limit. This violates the Regulation R1145, which governs how much fungus-produced toxin is allowed in food.
The NCC said the company imported peanuts and related products from Malawi and Zambia between 11 May 2023 and 6 November 2023. These products were brought into South Africa using trucks and trailers that lacked the required food safety certificates.
Lab results later confirmed that the peanuts and their byproducts were not only contaminated with aflatoxin but were also decayed and impure.
Acting Commissioner of the NCC, Hardin Ratshisusu, stressed the importance of strict food safety standards:
“It is incumbent upon suppliers of food products in the South African market to ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations and the Consumer Protection Act.”
House of Natural Butters was found to have distributed the tainted products through various South African retailers. The company also produced peanut butter for other brands, prompting a broader recall on 2 February 2024.
While this case has now reached its conclusion, investigations into other suppliers involved in the aflatoxin-contaminated peanut butter scandal are still underway.