“The problem manifests itself after months of storage, which causes the content of the can to react with the metal of the can”
ALL FORMAL wholesalers, retailers and informal traders in Kimberley and the Northern Cape will join a nationwide call to remove and stop selling 400g pilchards in tomato sauce and 400g pilchards in chilli sauce with immediate effect.
The order came from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) following the outcome of an investigation, which revealed a deficiency in the canning process.
The affected products bear the markings starting with ZST29 and ZSC29 on top of the cans.
Addressing the media in Tshwane on Tuesday, Food and Associated Industries general manager at the NRCS, Meisie Katz, said they are recalling all products packaged in June 2019.
Katz explained that during the packaging of the affected products, they discovered that during the process of the sauce filling step, an incision took place, which makes the cans leak after some time.
She explained that there was no problem with the content, but the problem was with the packaging of the content.
“Some of the cans were compromised during the sauce filling step on the production line, therefore could affect the safety of consumers.
“The problem manifests itself after months of storage, which causes the content of the can to react with the metal of the can,” Katz said.
The affected products were manufactured in 2019 by West Point Processors, based in Cape Town, and have been distributed nationally to various retailers across the country.
Katz said the signs of the affected products show after three to six months from the packaging date.
“Any can leaking can compromise the safety of consumers. We are recalling them. They should not be in the market,” Katz said.
Product brands affected and that are being recalled are:
Deep Catch
Mammas
OK Housebrand
Prime Ocean
Spar
Sunny
Shoprite Ritebrand
Cape Point
Checkers Housebrand
U Brand
Saldanha
West Point
“Food safety is a priority for the NRCS and the organisation is engaging all role players to ensure that the affected products are removed from the market to protect consumers against unsafe products,” Katz added.
Consumers, who have purchased the products, are urged to check the code. If it starts with ZST29 or ZSC29, they must return it for a full refund.
