The Ministry of Health is instituting a nationwide recall of “Hot and Tasty” brand Peanuts (150g) after receiving an alert from the International Food Safety Authorities Network specifically regarding the noncompliance of the products.
The Ministry says the recall is due to the level of total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 in the peanut exceeding the maximum limit stipulated under the Food Safety Regulation 2009 and Codex Alimentarius.
They say Mycotoxins can have a wide range of negative health consequences offer a major health risk to both humans and livestock and can cause acute poisoning as well as long-term consequences like immunological weakness and cancer.
They add peanuts exceeding the maximum standard limit in the regulation can cause illness if consumed and severe illness in vulnerable groups such as children under the age of 5 years, adults older than 65 years and people with weakened immune systems.
The Ministry further says aflatoxin exposure can result in immediate side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and convulsions.
Chronic exposure can also induce side effects such as immunotoxicity, teratogenicity, and hepatotoxicity.
They say acute aflatoxin intoxication can lead to hepatic failure and rhabdomyolysis.
It is also understood that chronic aflatoxin exposure may cause liver cirrhosis, which can progress to hepatocellular cancer.
The Ministry says the recalled products are imported by Rans Import & Export and distributed in Fiji by Shop and Save Supermarket and are sold in all its 16 outlets in Fiji.
The Ministry says its Food Unit has conducted its investigations and met with the importer and distributor who have agreed to remove the products from the shelves and comply with the recall.
They say health inspectors from the Ministry and councils are following up to ensure the distributor and retailers are taking prompt actions in this matter.
The Ministry says the products are manufactured in India and adds other varieties of peanuts are not affected by this recall as of now.
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