Health Department recalls all Zalatex condoms

The Department of Health has already quarantined close to 3,6 million condoms produced by the company and these condoms are currently stored at various warehouses in the country.

The Department of Health urges the members of the public and all partners involved in the condom distribution programme to return the condoms produced by the company to their nearest condom outlet. These condoms can be identified by a lot number: 4308/ZLX…The lot number is printed at the back of every condom above the expiry date.

The Department is also initiating a public awareness campaign, which should ensure that the public is able to identify these condoms and assist the Department in getting them back. Members of the public in possession of the condoms marked 4308/ZLX are requested to return them to the nearest public health facilities.

The Department of Health will no longer be procuring condoms from the company and will be working together with National Treasury in an effort to terminate the contract with the company. National Treasury is responsible for administration of the contract (i.e. general contract administration such as breach of contract, amendment, suspension and cancellation)

Zalatex is suspected to have bribed an official of the South African Bureau of Standard (SABS) to approve condoms that were not conforming to the quality standards. SABS is responsible for ensuring quality and safety of condoms distributed in the country.

Zalatex is one of the seven (7) companies, which had been awarded the tender to produce male condoms for government. Zalatex received a 9% stake of the total amount of 850 million condoms over two years ending February 2008.

While at least 7 million condoms are a subject of the case of possible collusion between the company and the official of the SABS, the Department of Health is recalling all 20 million condoms that have been supplied by Zalatex since it was awarded the contract.

For more information contact:

Sibani Mngadi
082 772 0161
or
Charity Bhengu
083 679 7424