This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
On May 18, 2020, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) took a crucial step in protecting consumers by blacklisting eight hand sanitizer brands for breaching manufacturing rules.
The affected brands, which include Bidco Africa's Gentle Care and Kings Palace's Alphax, were found to not meet the requirements of the Kenya Standard specification for Instant Hand Sanitizers.
KEBS has instructed the manufacturers to stop production and sales of the substandard products, and to recall any existing stock until they meet the stipulated requirements.
According to KEBS, substandard products found in the market will be seized for destruction at the expense of the owner, in addition to any other legal action as provided under the law.
The suspension of these brands comes at a time when the demand for hand sanitizers has been high due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made people seek to frequently clean their hands and the things they touch.
KEBS has warned the public against using these substandard products, emphasizing the importance of using products that meet the required standards to ensure safety and effectiveness.
