Kebs Ban 27 Tissue Brands Over Poor Quality

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has suspended 27 brands of consumer tissue whose products such as toilet paper and handkerchiefs it said are substandard.

Kebs managing director Bernard Njiraini said the firms had not complied with Kebs standards including those that prescribe the quality of products.

“They have not complied with various parameters including quality,” said Mr Njiraini in response to Business Daily queries.

Kebs subsequently asked retailers to withdraw the 27 brands from their stores with immediate effect.

“Following market surveillance on toilet paper brands in circulation around the country Kebs detected non-compliances with the requirements of the Standards Act Cap 496, Laws of Kenya,” said Kebs director of market surveillance Peter Kaigwara in a letter to the Retail Traders Association of Kenya (Retrak) chief executive Wambui Mbarire.

“We request your good office to notify your members to withdraw these brands from your outlets across the country until further notice.”

Some major brands among those banned include Cosy by Kim Fay Limited, Poshy by Jubilee Tissue Industries, Bloom by Tissue Kenya Limited, Tosha by Interconsumer Products, Peacock by Twiga Stationers and Printers, and Tulip by Phoenix Paper Ltd.

Others are Imara by Purex Holdings, Sofken by Ameriken Limited, Law Prima Kenya and Uno by UAE, Sunrise by Mikeline Ltd and Meek and Lucao both by Benco investment.

Retrak CEO Wambui Mbarire said retailers had already complied with the Kebs order.

“Yes (we have complied),” she said in response to Business Daily queries.

Other brands affected by the order include Best by Zaam industries, Rapras by Rapra Limited, Tiny by Tim Trade, Mwangaza by Amonah Ltd and Jambo by Zaam.

Also included in the list includes Violet by Phoenix, Purex, Lona and Taji by Nasco Paper, Stelly by Newstelly Ltd, and Nice one by UR Home International.

Mr Njiraini said among breached standards by the firms include health and safety aspect where Kebs warned some of the products could cause spread of diseases, PH- Low and high where Kebs warned some products could cause burns and bruises to the body tissues.

Some tissues breached the moisture content standard with high moisture content that could encourage proliferation of microorganisms.

At the same time some products breached standards for dimensions, grammage, number of sheets per roll, perforation and tensile strength.

(BD)