As coronavirus continues to ravage the country, government issued preventive measures including social distancing, wearing face masks and washing hands with soap or sanitizers.
In this period, existing companies pumped up their productions for sanitizers with others also venturing into the new gold market.
Following factory inspections, product certifications and market surveillance activities conducted recently by KEBS. The authority has banned the production of velvex from chandaria industries, Zoe by Flame tree Africa Limited, Nairobi among 30 brands of substandard hand sanitisers.
While issuing a statement on the matter, the authority reiterated that the list of hand sanitizers that have been ascertained as not meeting the requirements of KS EAS 789; Kenya Standard specification for Instant Hand Sanitizers.
The information was based on intelligence tips and complaints from consumers who must be protected by all means from exploitation and more so for their own personal health. Soap and water has often been proven as the best alternative. The sanitizers must be above 60% alcohol level to adequately contain the pathogens.
Below is the press statement and list of banned sanitizers by KEBS.
Cofek has also reacted to this latest development.
KEBS CALLS out fake hand sanitizers in the wake of #COVID19 pandemic. Highly publicised Velvex by Chandaria Industries hand-wash passing off as a sanitizer also blacklisted by @KEBS_ke. The quality product had earlier questioned but cleared a similar product from @BidcoGroup pic.twitter.com/5Ld8Ru1VGW
— Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) (@Cofek_Africa) August 10, 2020
“Coronavirus is no joke and we cannot afford to risk Kenya lives.” Reads a part in their tweet.