Quick Read
- SAHPRA has recalled specific batches of Citro-Soda Regular produced at the Adcock Ingram facility in Clayville, Johannesburg.
- Inspectors discovered metal fragments and black residue on manufacturing equipment, indicating a failure in quality control.
- The recall affects products with batch numbers starting with ‘C’ and expiry dates on or before November 2027.
JOHANNESBURG (Azat TV) – The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has issued an urgent recall for specific batches of Citro-Soda Regular following the discovery of critical manufacturing failures at Adcock Ingram’s production facility in Clayville, Johannesburg. The recall, announced on March 24, 2026, impacts tens of thousands of units of the popular effervescent treatment, which is widely used for heartburn and urinary tract infections.
Contamination Risks at Clayville Facility
The regulatory action follows a February 24, 2026, inspection of the Clayville site, which was prompted by a whistleblower report. During the site visit, SAHPRA inspectors identified severe lapses in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. According to Lebogang Mazibuko, Senior Manager for Inspectorate and Regulatory Compliance at SAHPRA, the facility exhibited evidence of rusted machinery, damaged conveyor belts, and inadequate air handling systems.
Most concerning to regulators was the physical evidence of contamination. Inspectors discovered metal fragments within manufacturing vessels and unidentified black residue, which officials suspect originated from the degradation of worn-out equipment. “We found the presence of metal fragments from the manufacturing equipment and some unknown black particles,” Mazibuko stated during a media briefing. “You cannot consume metal and be well after that.”
Scope of the Recall and Affected Batches
The recall is strictly limited to Citro-Soda Regular in 60g, 120g, and 4g x 30 sachet formats. Crucially, the mandate applies only to batches manufactured at the Clayville plant. Products manufactured at the company’s facility in India remain unaffected, as inspectors confirmed that the international site remains in full compliance with safety standards.
Affected consumers are advised to check their product packaging for batch numbers starting with the letter ‘C’ and expiry dates on or before November 2027. SAHPRA has instructed the public to return these specific units to their nearest supplier or health facility for proper disposal. The authority is currently overseeing the destruction of the recalled stock and has committed to intensified monitoring of the Clayville site to ensure corrective and preventative measures are implemented.
Regulatory Oversight and Accountability
Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, CEO of SAHPRA, emphasized that the decision to intervene was a direct response to the potential compromise of product safety and efficacy. While the investigation was triggered by a tip-off that eventually gained public attention through media reports, officials confirmed that the authority acted as soon as sufficient evidence of non-compliance was verified on-site. Adcock Ingram has been issued a formal market action notice, requiring the company to rectify the identified deficiencies before any further production from the affected line can be deemed safe for consumer use.
The swift intervention by SAHPRA highlights a shift toward more aggressive post-market surveillance in South Africa, where regulators are increasingly leveraging whistleblower reports to bypass traditional inspection cycles and address manufacturing risks before they result in widespread public health incidents.