Elfbar UK: Voluntary Withdrawal, not Recalls out of Safety Concern

ELFBAR has made a new statement regarding the recentElfBar announced a voluntary withdrawal of a range of devices.

The MHRA does have the power to issue safety recalls of products, and it regularly recalls medicines for safety reasons. Recalls are categorized from those related to defective products that could lead to death or disability, to recalls for products that are unlikely to cause harm but do not meet marketing authorization or specification. Although the MHRA often issues recall alerts and advice through the NHS and healthcare system, there have been no recalls related to e-cigarette products so far.

ELFBAR stated that "all actions agreed with the MHRA to ensure that this type of issue does not reoccur in our China operations are ongoing or have been completed."

After the Daily Mail's investigation into ELFBAR's nicotine levels, major supermarkets took action by removing some or all of ELFBAR's disposable products. However, there have been no reports of e-cigarette retailers or wholesalers removing or recalling the affected products.

ELFBAR's withdrawal action this month has led Conservative MP Adam Afriyie to question Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, about increasing penalties for non-compliant e-cigarette manufacturers. The government responded that they have no plans to do so. Afriyie also asked Barclay whether he had discussed the issue of overfilling equipment with Trading Standards, and was told that the government is working closely with relevant authorities.

ELFBAR also stated that "the company is working hard to ensure that fully inspected products that are 100% compliant with UK regulations are provided to the UK market as soon as possible."

2FIRSTS has invited the MHRA and ELFBAR for interviews, and they will report on the matter in due course.

Thumbnail source: the Grocer