Primark has recalled thousands of pairs of flip-flops in the UK after discovering they contain a chemical that can cause cancer. The Guardian reports that the high street chain is recalling three colours – black, blue and khaki – from its men’s Cedar Wood State flip-flop range and offering customers a full refund.
The company said on its website: “It has come to our attention that the footwear product detailed above does not meet the Primark usual high standards for chemical compliance. We have found levels of a restricted substance in the product in excess of the 1.0 mg/kg requirement.”
A Primark spokesperson is quoted in the report as saying that the chemical in question was chrysene, which is a regulated chemical commonly used in dark coloured dyes. Chrysene has been found to have a carcinogenic risk to humans and can cause cancer.
However, the spokesperson said: “At the levels found in the flip-flop, we believe the health and safety risk to customers is minimal.”
The shoes were taken off the shelves on 2 June after being on sale since January.
The problem was discovered by Primark when it followed up an inquiry by a third party, it has been reported. The company has suspended any outstanding orders from the factory which makes the flip-flops and an investigation has been launched. The spokesperson said: “We take the safety of our customers, and the quality of our products, very seriously, which is why we have chosen to recall three men’s flip-flops from our Cedar Wood State range.
“All new orders with this factory have been suspended while we carry out a thorough investigation. A full refund is being offered to all customers.”
[link url="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/17/primark-recalls-mens-flip-flops-after-carcinogenic-chemical-discovery"]The Guardian report[/link]