Tiger Brands is recalling 20 million cans of its KOO and Hugo’s vegetable products after a leak, in a batch of goods detected in May this year, was found to have been wider than initially thought, according to Business Maverick. The move could cost the firm more than R500 million rand.
The recall covers more than two dozen variants and includes its popular KOO baked beans brand. The recall applies to products released for sale as far back as 2019. Tiger Brands said it decided to institute the recall after consultations with the National Consumer Council (NCC).
Tiger Brands first discovered the defective products prior to their release for sale, linking them to a “deficient side seam weld that could cause the cans to leak”. Two out of 287,040 cans inspected showed leaks.
“A leak in a can presents a risk of secondary microbial contamination after the canned products are dispatched into the marketplace. Where such contamination occurs, it will present a low probability of illness and injury if the contaminated product is consumed,” Tiger Brands said in a statement.
Tiger Brands has been affected by trading difficulties due to Covid-19, and a loss of about R150-million worth of stock due to looting and vandalism at its KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng operations two weeks ago.
“The financial impact of the recall, including the cost of the potentially affected stock that may be written off, transport and storage costs, as well as the loss of margin on the returned stock, is estimated at between R500-million and R650-million,” said Tiger Brands.
In 2018 Tiger Brands reacted slowly to acknowledge its role in the listeriosis outbreak. Ultimately more than 200 people died — the world’s worst case of the food borne bacterial illness — and led to a class-action suit by affected families.