This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
On November 8, 2019, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) took action to protect consumers by suspending the sale of seven peanut butter products made in Kenya.
The products, which include Nuteez, Zesta, Nutty by Nature, True nuts, Supa Meal, Sue's Naturals, and Fressy, were found to contain aflatoxin, a toxin produced by fungi that is abundant in humid and warm areas like East Africa.
Aflatoxin is a known cause of liver cancer, a disease that is difficult to treat and costly to manage, making it inaccessible to many Ugandans.
UNBS issued a statement advising importers, distributors, and retailers to cease the sale and distribution of the products and to ensure they are not displayed in retail outlets until further notice.
"Thus, 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," the statement reads.
UNBS also urged consumers to avoid buying the products and to report the presence of such products on the market on their toll-free line 0800133133.
However, UNBS faces challenges in supervising all supermarkets and enforcing the orders across the entire country due to limited human and financial capacity.
Unlike in Kenya, where the authorities allowed manufacturers and distributors to recall the products at their own expense, UNBS has not taken similar action.
