More than 37,000 cases of Appletiser products, including a number of cans, manufactured by Coca-Cola South Africa are being recalled over contamination fears.

Coca-Cola South Africa initially indicated that batches of products were ‘outside the acceptable standards’ following standard quality testing.

According to Business Insider South Africa, elevated levels of patulin, produced by a variety of moulds most commonly found in rotting apples, was confirmed by the National Consumer Commission in South Africa.

“The company says the recall of 37,362 cases distributed nationwide is as a result of the presence of mycotoxin [patulin] exceeding 50μg/l in some of the batches at levels above permitted tolerance for fungus-produced toxins in foodstuffs,” said the Acting NCC Commissioner, Thezi Mabuza, in a statement.

“The risk of consuming mycotoxin [patulin] exceeding [50μg/l] may lead to vomiting, nausea and gastrointestinal symptoms. 

“We urge consumers who bought these products from the following retailers: Makro, Pick n Pay, Boxer, OK Foods, Spar, Shoprite and Checkers, Game and Ultra Liquors to verify the best before date and if they form part of the recall, they should immediately return the products to any retail store for an exchange or replacement.”

The recall affects the following products:

• Appletiser 1250ml pet – best before 07 Nov 21;
• Appletiser 750ml non-returnable glass – best before 30 May 22;
• Appletiser 275ml non-returnable glass – best before 10 Jun 22;
• Appletiser slend 330ml can – best before 18 May 22;
• Appletiser slend 330ml can – best before 19 May 22;
• Appletiser slend 330ml can – best before 23 May 22.