Heads up, peanut butter fans! If you’ve recently grabbed a jar of a popular supermarket’s own-brand spread—whether you go for smooth or crunchy—it might be worth giving it a second look.

A product safety notice has been issued for certain large jars due to a possible contamination with a naturally occurring substance that could carry health risks.



What’s the issue?
Coles has issued an urgent recall on their 1kg jars of both Smooth and Crunchy Peanut Butter, which retail for $6.50 each. The reason? A potential contamination with aflatoxins, a naturally occurring toxin that can pose serious health risks.

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain types of mould, particularly in warm and humid conditions. While the word 'mould' might make you wrinkle your nose, the real concern is that aflatoxins can cause illness if consumed.

Health experts warn that eating food contaminated with aflatoxins can lead to liver damage and may suppress your immune system. For those with pre-existing health conditions, the risks can be even greater.



If you’ve purchased Coles 1kg Smooth Peanut Butter or Coles 1kg Crunchy Peanut Butter—either in-store or online—Coles is urging you not to eat the product. Instead, return it to the store for a full refund.

If you bought it online, you can contact Coles Online Customer Care on 1800 455 400 for a refund or store credit.

Also read: Dairy disaster: Supermarkets recall popular milk brand from shelves



Why do recalls happen?
Food recalls are more common than you might think, and they’re always issued with your safety in mind.

In Australia, strict food safety standards mean that even the suspicion of contamination is enough to trigger a recall. While it can be inconvenient, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Aflatoxins, in particular, are a concern in products like nuts, grains, and legumes—peanuts included—because the mould that produces them thrives in the same environments where these crops are grown and stored. While food manufacturers have rigorous testing and quality control processes, sometimes a batch can slip through the cracks.



What should you do if you’re affected?

• Don’t eat the peanut butter. Even if it looks and smells fine, aflatoxins aren’t detectable by taste or smell.
• If you ordered your peanut butter from Coles Online, you can get a refund or store credit by calling their Customer Care team on 1800 455 400.
• If you’ve already eaten some and feel unwell, especially if you have symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or jaundice, seek medical advice promptly.

Other recent recalls to be aware of
This isn’t the only product recall making headlines lately. Just recently, Protea Foods Pty Ltd recalled its Lekker Biltong Slices Traditional (100g) and Lekker Biltong Slices Peri-Peri Chilli (40g) due to mould contamination caused by a packaging fault.

These snacks, sold at Coles in NSW and independent retailers in VIC and WA, were pulled from shelves after the issue was discovered.

And it’s not just snacks—milk products and even baby items have been recalled in recent weeks, highlighting the importance of staying up to date with food safety alerts.

In case you missed it: Mould contamination triggers urgent recall of $12 Coles snack


Have you ever been caught out by a product recall? Did you get your refund without any hassle? Share your experiences in the comments below!