Massive recall of tinned foods

KOO and Hugo’s tinned foods manufactured from May 1, 2019 to May 5, 2021 are being recalled over fears of some of the cans being defective.

Tiger Brands has announced that it is recalling some 20 million of its KOO and Hugo’s tinned foods over what the company says is an “extremely small number of defective” cans.

The cans, from a packaging supplier, may have a defective side-seam weld that can cause them to leak, the company says.

The affected products were produced from May 1 2019 to May 5 2021.

“No health issues have been reported to date relating to the affected product range. Although there is a low probability of illness and injury, matters of quality and food safety are an absolute priority for Tiger Brands. The company in consultation with the National Consumer Council therefore made the decision to initiate a precautionary withdrawal in the best interest of consumers,” the company said in a statement on its website.

Products forming part of the recall can be returned to the nearest supermarket or wholesale outlet for a refund.

They can be identified by the barcode on the side of the tin and the manufacturing date code stamped on the bottom or top of the tin.

“We urge consumers who have these products in their possession to verify the barcodes as well as manufacturing dates, and if they form part of the recall, they should immediately return these products to any retail store for a full refund with or without any receipt,” said National Consumer Commissioner Thezi Mabuza

Under the Consumer Protection Act, consumers had a right to fair value, good quality and safety, she said.

“While the commission is pleased with Tiger Brands’ investigation into this problem and the precautionary recall, consumer safety comes first, therefore, the commission will only rest when all these products are removed from the market and consumers get their refunds. Our inspectors are monitoring the recall based on the recall guidelines.”

Tiger Brands said it was good practice for shoppers to always inspect the quality of a can and never buy or use cans that were dented, cracked, leaking, or had bulging lids.

These canned products have been recalled:

• KOO Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce (6009522300586) – 410g

• KOO Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce-Lite (6009522306571) – 410g

• Hugo’s Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce (6009522305536) – 410g

• KOO Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce 4 pack (6009522307653) – 4 x 410g

• KOO Butter Beans in Brine (6001024023543) – 410g

• KOO Butter Beans in Tangy Curry Sauce (6001024000469) – 410g

• KOO Butter Beans in Tomato Sauce (6001024024007) – 420g

• KOO Baked Beans in Chilli Sauce (6001024035003) – 420g

• KOO Baked Beans in Tomato & Herb (6009522303006) – 410g

• KOO Baked Beans in Curry Sauce (6009522303020) – 410g

• KOO Baked Beans in Hot Chakalaka (6009522303013) – 410g

• KOO Baked Beans in BBQ Flavoured Sauce (6009522308117) – 410g

• KOO Baked Beans in Chilli Wors Flavoured Sauce (6009522308124) – 410g

• KOO Creamstyle Sweetcorn (6009522300562) – 415g

• KOO Whole Kernel in Brine (6001024386655) – 410g

• KOO Mixed Vegetables in Sweet and Spicy Curry Sauce (6009522300296) – 420g

• KOO Mixed Vegetables in Hot Curry Sauce (6009522300289) – 420g

• KOO Mixed Vegetables in Curry Sauce (6001024549913) – 420g

• KOO Mixed Vegetables in Cape Malay Curry Sauce (6009522307639) – 420g

• KOO Mixed Vegetables in Durban Curry Sauce (6009522307646) – 420g

• KOO Mixed Vegetables in Brine (6001024103184) – 410g

• Helderberg Fresh Garden Peas in Sweetened Brine (6009522308506) – 400g

• KOO Fresh Garden Peas in Brine (6001024223318) – 410g

• KOO Fresh Garden Peas in Brine (6009522308186) – 400g

• KOO Surfmaid Peas Petit Pois in Sweetened Brine (6009522308193) – 400g

• KOO Short Spaghetti in Flavoured Tomato Sauce (6001024383623) – 410g

For more information contact the Tiger Brands consumer careline on 0860 100 891 or at tigercsd@tigerbrands.com.