This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
On November 4, 2019, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) suspended seven brands of peanut butter, citing substandard quality. The affected brands included Truenutz by Truenutz Kenya, Fressy by Fressy Food Company Limited, Supa Meal by Supacosm Products Limited, Nuteez by Jetlak Foods Limited, Sue’s Naturals by Nature’s Way Health, Zesta by Trufoods Limited, and Nutty by nature by Target Distributors.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards instructed the manufacturers to discontinue production and recall stock that had already been supplied for sale until corrective measures were taken.
Following the suspension, Rwanda's Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) took swift action, instructing the public to stop consuming the products. The FDA's acting Director-General, Dr Charles Karangwa, directed importers, distributors, supermarkets, and retailers to stop the importation, distribution, and sale of the affected brands and return them to suppliers amid investigations.
Dr Karangwa further instructed all importers and supermarkets to submit reports within 10 working days on imported, distributed, returned quantities, and available quantities of each brand.
According to Dr Karangwa, the decision to ban the brands was made in reference to the announcement by Kebs on November 4, 2019, regarding the seven substandard peanut butter brands on sale.
