Govt recalls Nuteez peanut butter countrywide

The Ministry of Health has recalled peanut butter brand ‘Nuteez’ countrywide after tests confirmed a contaminated batch in Nandi County.

In a letter dated January 29, 2019 the Government Chemists department notified the Ministry of Interior that an analysis on the said peanut butter showed it’s unfit for human consumption.

“The peanut butter exceeds the maximum required limit for total aflatoxins (10ppb) hence not fit for human consumption,” reads the letter.

Subsequently, the Director of Public Health Kepha M. Ombacho on Thursday asked all County Public Health Officers to ensure the ‘Nuteez’ peanut butter is removed from the market and submitted to the government laboratory for analysis.

“The referred batch number of the peanut should be removed from the market and all other batches of the same product sampled and submitted to the laboratory for analysis to ensure safety,” reads part of the circular from the Director of Public Health.

“Certificate of laboratory analysis has shown that the butter is contaminated with aflatoxin at 24.08ppb which is above the maximum limit provided in the national standard.”

Jetlak Foods Limited, the parent company of peanut butter brand ‘Nuteez’ has since denied knowledge of any contamination of their products.

“As Jetlak Foods Limied we are not in receipt of any letter or correspondence thereof from the Ministry of Interior and we are thus in the process if investigating the purported claim,” said the company in a statement issued Thursday.

The company maintains that its products are of the highest quality standards.

“We wish to re-assure our esteemed customers that Jetlak Foods limited prescribed to the highest standards of quality and we remain committed to manufacturing the best quality products,” it added.