House of Natural Butters fined R500 000

THE National Consumer Tribunal has confirmed a settlement agreement between the National Consumer Commission (NCC) and peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd, trading as Eden All Butters.

- SIPHESIHLE BUTHELEZI

The supplier will pay a hefty administrative penalty of R500 000 as part of this agreement.

This follows a product safety investigation launched after several peanut butter products were found to contain high levels of aflatoxin, a toxic substance produced by certain moulds.

According to the NCC, the supplier and the commission entered into the settlement agreement on February 25, which was subsequently referred to the Tribunal. On 3 June, the Tribunal confirmed the agreement and made it a consent order in terms of section 74(1) of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).