Uganda bans 7 Kenyan peanut butter brands, cites cancer

The Government of Uganda has suspended imports of seven Kenyan peanut butter brands days after they were banned from the local market.

A statement from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) said importation, sale and distribution of the brands should cease with immediate effect.

“Tests carried out by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KeBS) confirmed high levels of aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin is a poisonous cancer-causing compound,” UNBS said.

The brands are:

• Nuteez
• Zesta
• Nutty by Nature
• True nuts
• Supa Meal
• Sue’s Naturals
• Fressy

UNBS has warned Ugandan citizens against buying the seven products and inspectors at border points have been ordered to seize all consignments with the identified brands.

The agency further noted that the ban would be in effect until further notice and reiterated their mandate to protect consumers from ‘dangerous and substandard ‘products.

The Kenyan peanut butter brands were banned from the local market on November 4 and the companies ordered to discontinue production and recall all their products.

““The suspension follows test results undertaken by KeBS which confirm that their levels of aflatoxin is higher than the maximum limit allowed by the Standard. The Kenya Standard, ‘KS EAS 60: 2013, Peanut Butter – Specification’ states that the maximum total aflatoxin content, is 15 parts per billion (ppb) and gives maximum value for Aflatoxin B1 5 ppb maximum,” KeBS said in a statement.