After Maggi, Dettol soap bar sample slips on quality

After Maggi noodles a product of another multi-national brand has now failed laboratory test.

A sample of Dettol soap bar, a brand owned by Reckitt Benckiser (India) Limited has failed laboratory tests. Along with dettol soap bar, 10 other medicines have failed laboratory tests and a notice will soon be sent to them.

According to reports, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) had collected samples from Agra in November last year and subsequently sent them for laboratory tests in Lucknow. The report was sent to the FDA and Dettol and 10 other medicines failed the tests and were also declared sub standard.

According to reports, the FDA collected a total of 11 samples of some medicines, tinctures and Dettol soap bar and all of them were found sub standard.

"The wrapper of the By Rajat Rai in Lucknow sample of Dettol soap bar collected by us mentioned its weight to be 125gm. However, the actual weight in our tests was 117.0470gms. Besides, it was bought from the shop of one Santosh Kumar Valmiki who was found to be running the shop without a licence," said Agra drug inspector RC Yadav.

The sample of the soap bar was found to be sub-standard and also failed our standard laboratory tests, he said.

Reckitt Benckiser (India) issued a statement saying, "We confirm that Dettol Soap is 100% safe to use and it goes through a series of rigorous tests to ensure we comply with our internal standards and those defined by concerned authorities. We take this seriously and our quality tests note the batch weight is 125 grams at the time of packaging, as listed on the pack. As per the packaged commodities guidelines, the net weight specified on the pack is the weight observed at the time of packaging. Technically, all soaps lose moisture during the journey to retail outlets and hence we witness a drop in the weight. The letter we received from The Food and Drug Administration alleged a lesser weight and not the quality. We will collaborate with the concerned authorities and do a thorough investigation to understand the alleged difference in the product weight of the sample. As a brand trusted for over 80 years in the country, we are committed towards the health, safety and wellbeing of our consumers."

In Association with Mail Today