Tiger Brands recalls products

TIGER Brands has recalled Purity Essentials Baby Powder products sold in several Southern African countries including Zimbabwe as a precautionary measure after trace levels of asbestos were detected in test samples from a batch of talcum powder used as raw material.

Various studies have established that talc powder contaminated with asbestos causes cancer.

The products are said to be sold in Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Seychelles and Zambia.

It could not be established yesterday on the quantities of recalled products available in the Zimbabwe market.

A number of Zimbabweans buy their groceries in South Africa and some receive parcels from relatives based in the neighbouring country. Businesspeople also buy their wares, including food items from the neighbouring country for resale in the country.

In a statement, Tiger Brands said products forming part of the recall include the 100g, 200g and 400g pack sizes of Purity Essentials Baby Powder.

“Tiger Brands is recalling Purity Essentials Baby Powder products as a precautionary measure after trace levels of asbestos were detected in test samples from a batch of pharmaceutical-grade talc powder used as raw material in the production of finished powder products,” reads part of the statement.

“This recall does not affect Purity Essentials Baby Cornstarch Powder or any other Baby Care products under the Purity brand.

“The batch of raw material with the detected trace levels of asbestos does not meet the company’s strict quality and safety standards. Matters of quality and safety are an absolute priority for Tiger Brands. In the best interest of consumers and as a precautionary measure, the company made the decision to initiate a product recall of the affected products after consultation with the National Consumer Commission.”

Tiger Brands said it was working with its retail and wholesale customers to remove all affected Baby Powder products from store shelves.

Meanwhile, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has encouraged consumers to exercise caution and avoid the purchase or consumption of the recalled products.

Comesa

“The commission has established from Tiger Brands that the recalled products are sold within the Common Market, specifically in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Seychelles, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

“This follows a detection of trace levels of asbestos in test samples from a batch of pharmaceutical-grade talc powder used as raw material in the production of the finished powder products,” said the regional body.

“Tiger Brands has indicated that the recall is precautionary as the raw material with the detected trace levels of asbestos did not meet the company’s quality and safety standards.

“However, the general public should be informed that the recall does not affect Purity Essentials Baby Cornstarch Powder or any other Baby Care products under the Purity brand.”

In 2020, there were fears that some shops and homes in the country had poisoned pilchards following a recall of a batch of the brand from a processing plant in South Africa due to a canning deficiency.-Chronicle.co.zw