Coles is recalling two of its own-brand peanut butter spreads, amid fears they have been contaminated with a toxic chemical.

“Consumers should not eat this product. Consumers should return the product(s) to the place of purchase for a full refund,” Food Standards Australia New Zealand wrote in a recall notice on Monday.

The affected spreads are Coles Smooth Peanut Butter and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter, both in one-kilogram jars. They have best-before dates of February 5, 2027, and were sold at Coles supermarkets and online nationwide between May 1 and June 30.

They are being recalled because of fears they are contaminated with aflatoxin.

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Aflatoxins are poisonous and liver cancer-causing chemicals produced by moulds that grow in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, grains, oilseeds and tree nuts.

“Human dietary exposure to aflatoxins, especially from potentially rich sources such as oilseeds (e.g. peanuts) and tree nuts (e.g. pistachio), should be kept as low as reasonably achievable,” FSANZ says.

There have previously been two other food recalls in Australia of imported peanuts and pistachios due to the presence of aflatoxins, between January 2007 and February 2016.

“The symptoms of aflatoxicosis are dose-related with large doses leading to acute illness and death, usually through liver cirrhosis,” FSANZ says.

“Long-term sublethal doses have nutritional and immunologic consequences, while all doses have a cumulative effect on the risk of liver cancer.”

It says aflatoxins are “acutely and chronically toxic to animals, including humans”.

Anyone who has concerns about their health should seek medical advice.

Coles has apologised to customers. Further information is available from its customer care line on 1800 061 562.