Pilchards recall widens as more brands affected by ‘canning deficiency’
West Point Processors have widened their net and and increased the recall demand of tinned goods including to include products with the ZST29 and ZSC 29 barcode on the tin.
Tito Mboweni had better hurry to his pantry before his budget speech tomorrow.
In a statement released to it’s clients, West Point Processors said that there was a possibility of a “canning deficiency” that could result in the product reacting with the metal in the tin after several months of storage.
Pilchards recalled: Here’s what we know so far
Some consumers have complained about tins “bloating” in their pantries, however the supplier made no mention of this.
The had previously tried to make consumers aware of the ZST-2 and ZSC-2, which is for products containing pilchards in tomato sauce.
Now, the National Regulator of Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has ordered all formal retailers, retailers and informal traders to remove and stop selling the 400g pilchards in tomato sauce and 400g pilchards in chilli sauce with immediate effect.
More brands affected
Brands that may be affected now include:
- Deep Catch
- Mammas
- Prime Ocean
- Spar
- Sunny
- Shoprite Ritebrand
- Cape Point
- Checkers Housebrand
- U Brand
- Saldanha
- West Point
- OK Housebrand
Consumers who have purchased the products need to check the code and if it starts with ZST-2, ZSC-2, ZST29, or ZSC 29 need to return it for a full refund.
West Point criticised
West Point Processors have been criticised by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) for not making them aware of the problem sooner, or fully divulging the extent of the possible contamination.
They say that this has stymied their ability to deal with the issue.
“As a commission we are really concerned about how the recall is proceeding. It is eaten mostly by people in remote areas where media houses might not have reached. The recall strategy has to cover the length and breath of South Africa,” spokesperson Thezi Mabuza said .
She said that tinned fish is a staple meal in South Africa and the effects of the contamination could have far reaching implications if consumers are not made aware of the issue.
“There will be consequences,” she said. “But right now, we need everyone not to eat the product.”
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