By a Correspondent
South African products, Purity Essential and Elizabeth Anne Baby Essentials Powders have been ordered off the shelves in Zimbabwe after traces of cancer-causing asbestos were detected in them.
The manufacturers, Tiger Brands, also recalled the products in South Africa following the discovery.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Jasper Chimedza said:
“The products contain unacceptable levels of asbestos which causes rare cancer called mesothelioma. The traces were recently detected in test samples prompting the recall of the product.
“Given that a significant number of products in our supermarkets are sourced from South Africa, there is the 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.
Let’s inform the public of this harmful product to stop further distribution of the product within the country due to its negative health effects.”
