Pretoria — About 4.5 million condoms supplied by Zalatex had been collected by Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Health announced, following its recall of the products.

Members of the public have been urged to identify Choice condoms with batch number 4308/ZLX and return them to their nearest health facilities.

"The number of condoms collected increases from 3.6 million which had been collected by Monday," said the department in a statement.These condoms were supplied by Zalatex, a company suspected with bribing an official of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to approve condoms that did not conform to quality standards.Although this operation affected 7 million condoms, the department has recalled all 20 million condoms produced by Latex Surgical Products and supplied by Zalatex with batch number 4308/ZLX.

Speaking to BuaNews Tuesday, departmental spokesperson Sibani Mngadi urged people not to panic about this issue

"We distribute 400 million condoms every year and the condoms in question are about seven million. We are, however, recalling all 20 million condoms that have been supplied by Zalatex since it was awarded the contract," said Mr Mngadi.

People who require more information or those concerned that they may have used the recalled condoms are encouraged to contact the AIDS Helpline on 0800 012 322 for more information, education and counselling.Mr Mngadi said they wanted people to be aware of the batch number to ensure that all the condoms are returned.

Mr Mngadi emphasised that not all the condoms were defective.In this regard, he called on South Africans to continue using government condoms except for those with batch number: 4308/ZLX."The condoms that have been produced by the other suppliers are of good quality. We have requested the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to check these condoms and they have assured us of the quality," he said.

Condoms remained an effective prevention for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV and AIDS, he explained.Mr Mngadi described the recalling of these condoms as a precautionary measure to ensure the maximum safety of the public.

"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 or public health facilities," he said. The Department of Health will work with the National Treasury to terminate the contract with Zalatex.

The National Treasury is responsible for administration of the contract, which includes general contract administration such as breach of contract, amendment, suspension and cancellation. Zalatex is one of the seven companies, which had been awarded the tender to produce male condoms for government.

The company received a nine percent stake of the total amount of 850 million condoms over two years ending February 2008.