Velvex hand sanitisers have been banned and recalled by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for non-compliance with the minimum alcohol requirement and labeling standards. As the product is available in Malawi, the country’s Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has recalled Velvex hand sanitisers from the local market.

The CFTC Executive Director, James Kaphale, said in a statement that local traders are therefore urged to recall the products and refund consumers who bought them, or risk facing the law. “The commission is advising consumers to critically check material information on hand sanitisers before purchasing or using them,” the statement reads in part.

In April this year, the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) received locally made samples of hand sanitisers for testing to check conformity with standards, having noted that there has been an influx of various types of hand sanitizers on the market. MBS released a statement outlining that the tests were made to protect consumers from substandard and health-risk products. Being satisfied, MBS approved some companies to produce hand sanitizers, namely Ethanol Company Limited, KenChem, Kadora Enterprises, Purity Sanitary Products Company Limited and Charma Chemicals and Distributors.