RECALL OF CERES 100% APPLE JUICE IN MALAWI DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF TOXINS

The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) would like to inform the general public that Pioneers Foods, a South African manufacturing company, is recalling Ceres 100% Apple Juice that was exported to Malawi due to high levels of Patulin, a toxin that occurs in apples. Patulin can occur in fruits such as apples, due to fungal contamination. Ingestion of Patulin may be associated with nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances and vomiting.

In a communication sent to the Commission, Pioneers Foods, has indicated the affected product that was exported to Malawi is Ceres Sparkling Apple Juice in 275ml glasses, whose bar code is 6001240222676, and has a date codes of PD 15.06.2021 / BB 15.06.2022.

Pioneer Foods has, through their official distributor in the country, Cold Chain Malawi Limited, confirmed that most of the cases that were exported to Malawi (83%) have been withdrawn from the market pending proper disposal; while the remaining products are being recovered through the continued product recall.

In light of the above, the Commission would like to inform traders not to sell the subject products to consumers, but return them to the company’s distributor. The Commission also advises consumers to take necessary precaution when purchasing and consuming the said products. Furthermore, the Commission advises consumers to return any such products to their suppliers, and get a full refund if they purchased the same. The Commission also calls upon the general public to report all incidences where the said products under the specified barcodes are being supplied on the market.

For more information on this statement, you may contact Mr Innocent Helema on 0880725075 or email: innocent.helema@cftc.mw.

APOCHE ITIMU

ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR