Health Department recalls all Zalatex condoms

By Celeste Ganga
28 August 2007

As a precautionary measure to ensure maximum safety of the public, the Department of Health is recalling all condoms supplied by Latex Surgical Products (LSP) for the government condom distribution programme.

“The Department of Health has already quarantined close to 3,6 million condoms produced by the company, “ says Health Minister’s spokesperson, Sibani Mngadi.

These condoms are currently stored at various warehouses in the country.

“The Department 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,” says Mngadi.

It is alleged that Zalatex bribed an official of the South African Bureau of Standards to approve condoms that did not conform to quality standards.

“Zalatex is one of the seven companies, which have been awarded the tender to produce male condoms for government,” says Mngadi.

Condoms that need to be returned can be identified by lot number, 4308/ZLX. The lot number is printed at the back of every condom, above the expiry date.