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.
Products forming part of this recall include the 100g, 200g and 400g pack sizes of Purity Essentials Baby Powder.
This recall does not affect Purity Essentials Baby Cornstarch Powder or any other Baby Care products under the Purity brand, Tiger Brands said on Wednesday.
“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,” the company said in a statement.
Tiger Brands further said that it is working with its retail and wholesale customers to remove all affected Baby Powder products from store shelves.
The company further encouraged consumers to return their Purity Essentials Baby Powder products to their nearest supermarket, wholesaler or pharmacy outlet that stocks the product for a cash refund or coupon from 8 September 2022.
In 2019, another baby product brand, Johnson & Johnson recalled a single batch of baby powder in the US after traces of asbestos were found in it.
The company said at the time that the batch was only distributed in the US, and its products in South Africa are not affected. Exposure to asbestos has been linked to lung cancer.
Tiger Brands share price fell by 8.04% percent following the announcement on Wednesday morning. From starting the day, shares traded at R15,33 but then dropped by R1,34 to R13.99.
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