Chronicle Editor
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THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has as a precautionary measure ordered the removal of South Africa’s Purity Essentials Baby Powder products from retail outlet shelves after they were recently recalled in the neighbouring country.
The ministry said the products should also be intercepted at points of entry as there is a possibility that some batches of the baby powder are already in the country. Trace levels of asbestos were detected in test samples from a batch of talcum powder used as raw material. Various studies have since established that talc powder contaminated with asbestos causes cancer.
In a letter addressed to provincial medical directors, directors of health services and chief environmental health officers, the Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Jasper Chimedza said there is a possibility that some batches of the baby powder in question are already in the country.
“Tiger Brands of South Africa is recalling the Purity Essentials Baby Powder from shops. The products contain unacceptable levels of asbestos, which causes rare cancer called mesothelioma the traces recently detected in test samples prompting the recall of the product,” he said.
“Given that a significant number of products in our supermarkets are sourced from South Africa, there is a possibility that some batches of the baby powder in question are already in Zimbabwe. These products should be removed from the shelves or intercepted at points of entry,” said Dr Chimedza.
Last month, Tiger Brands recalled the products that are sold in several Southern African countries including Zimbabwe as a precautionary measure.
The products are said to be sold in Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Seychelles and Zambia. It could not be established 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.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has also encouraged consumers to exercise caution and avoid the purchase or consumption of the recalled products.
“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.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter