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Woolworths Organic Peanut Butter

I have been trying some of Woolworth's organic peanut butter over the past few months. I have to say that I am quite impressed with the product. It has a naturally great taste and contains nothing other than organic peanuts (at least according to the label).

After eating some real peanut butter, I will never be able to eat "normal" peanut butter again. Either they throw it full of sugar and salt or it's practically tasteless.

However, there is another thing that I find quite shocking. The natural peanut butter has some basic practical problems, similar to most other natural things. When left to stand, the peanut oil separates from the solids and needs to be mixed together again when you take it out of storage.

If you put it in the fridge the oil will become solid though so you shouldn't have the problem after the initial mix.

However, why does this not happen with other peanut butters? The only conclusion I can come to is that they hydrogenate the oil. I did a quick Google and it seems like the concept of hydrogenated peanut oil is quite common.

This is not necessarily a problem, although there has been various health concerns with hydrogenated vegetable oils in general. Be that as it may, don't you think they should indicate this on the label? Something like "Peanuts, Hydrogenated Peanut Oil"? This is very sneaky and unethical in my opinion. People have the right to make choices and should be informed in order to make these choices. This is just out-right dishonest to me, or serious negligence by the food companies to say the least.

Any thoughts?

Posted by Charl van Niekerk on Friday, July 18, 2008
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2 Comments

Comment by Blogger TeePOG's blOG on Friday, July 18, 2008 10:59:00 AM

Hi Charl

As a long-time peanut butter afficionado, I feel that I must check out this Woolworths product.

Another nice option is Yum Yum unsweetened peanut butter (IIRC they don't add salt either).

Pick 'n Pay's No-Name Brand peanut butter used to be quite oily (I love that!) but it's become dryer in recent times.

And I agree with you on the ingredient listing; people should know exactly what they're eating. That's why we have labeling laws, innit?

Comment by Blogger Charl van Niekerk on Friday, July 25, 2008 1:48:00 AM

Thanks for commenting, sorry it took me so long to approve, haven't been on my blog for a while. :)

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