Investigation by: Mohamed Omar & Munira Ahmed Al-Tayar
Mariam Taha (a pseudonym), a mother of two children (the elder is two years old and the younger is not yet a year old), both of whom still need to use "diapers". She buys them from a small stall owner selling baby diapers on one of the streets in Sana'a. These diapers have no name or brand on them, and their price is often cheap and lower compared to those sold in commercial stores.
In her conversation with “Khuyut,” Mariam explains her purchase of these diapers, despite them being sold on the streets under the sun's rays, by mentioning that her husband is physically challenged and disabled at home due to the war and is unable to work, after previously receiving a good salary at a private company. As a result, she is compelled to purchase necessities like diapers from street vendors and stalls scattered in the streets due to the dire financial situation of her family, even though the cost is high compared to their living conditions, and that a single pack may last for only ten days.
As you decide to maintain cleanliness at home and go to buy diapers for your children to prevent feces and urine from leaking onto the floor, the moment your child wears this diaper for the first time, illness begins to seep gradually into your baby's bloodstream. This results in acute brain and skin inflammations due to the recycling of waste from sponge and cotton fabric factories used in diaper production in Yemen, where advanced laboratories capable of detecting toxic substances in these products are absent.
After researching and investigating the adulterated materials, also known as factory waste, we found that they are waste from sponge factories and remnants from cotton fabric factories. These materials contain chemicals that significantly impact those involved in shredding and processing them in the factory, posing a significant danger to children who use these products.
This comes alongside the deteriorating economic situation in Yemen due to the war and conflict since 2015. The situation has been further exacerbated by division and the presence of multiple governing authorities, making it extremely difficult to control and regulate local industries and monitor the entry of raw materials.
Meanwhile, local factories have resorted to using some tricks to manipulate the raw materials they purchase at the lowest costs. They recycle these materials and market them as new, high-quality products at prices suitable for the income of Yemeni citizens, many of whom have lost their sources of income and salaries, including civilian employees for over six years.
Compounding Harms and Catastrophic Consequences
Amal Nasser (a pseudonym) deeply regretted the ordeal her 10-month-old daughter endured due to poor quality diapers, culminating in her experiencing symptoms of depression. The child developed severe allergy and irritation in the diaper area, which proved resistant to all remedies she tried after seeking help from all her acquaintances. Even specialized allergy creams failed to alleviate the condition.
This prompted her to consult a dermatologist, who informed her - as she confirms to "Khuyut" - that the diapers were contaminated with extremely harmful bacteria. The doctor's decisive recommendation was for her to stop using any diapers for her daughter. He warned that these bacteria could affect the child's reproductive system, potentially leading to infertility in the future, along with other issues in the uterus if not treated and monitored carefully.
Amal says, "I never imagined that I could expose my daughter to a serious illness because of poor-quality diapers," urging the relevant authorities to take any action necessary to protect children from those who risk their lives with such inferior products."
In hot regions, children face additional challenges due to using these counterfeit diapers. With significant temperature increases, poor-quality diapers are prone to damage, color changes, and loss of elastic straps, affecting not only product quality but also lead to reduced moisture absorption.
Imad Namran, the director of the Yemen Standardization Metrology and Quality Control Organization (YSMO) in Marib, explains in a statement to "Khuyut" that the storage process of diapers plays a pivotal role in adapting them to ambient temperature or humidity, and maintaining their integrity, without being affected. He underscores that exposing them to sunlight could change their color and affect the elasticity of the straps around the thighs and waist. Furthermore, leaving diapers in open areas exposes them to dirt and dust, causing them to lose their shape and become contaminated.
This leads to multiple effects and consequences affecting children. Some diapers can cause allergic reactions when used, making the child more susceptible to bacterial or fungal infections. Additionally, some diapers do not absorb moisture and urine properly, leaving the child more vulnerable to infections.
Furthermore, these diapers can cause discomfort in infants, reducing their activity and vitality. This, coupled with the added stress on mothers who have to change diapers multiple times, cleanse the child, and wash clothes whenever leakage occurs, especially when the area is irritated due to allergies or wetness caused by urine. This creates a fertile environment for bacterial or fungal attacks on the irritated area, as stated by pediatric specialist Manal Al Sa'fani, to "Khuyut."
For his part, Dr. Abdullah Al-Zo'a, a pediatric specialist in Sana'a, points out to "Khuyut" that the chemicals and dyes used in the manufacture of "counterfeit diapers" penetrate the pores of the child's skin and then directly enter the bloodstream, causing severe brain inflammations, acute skin irritations, and issues in the urinary tract, bladder, kidneys, and anus.
Likewise, Dr. Jiyab Mashrah, a physician working in a medical facility in Taiz City, also agrees with Al-Zo'a regarding the fact that skin inflammations and allergies are caused by microbes entering the reproductive organs due to chemical irritation from urine, stool, and moisture. This, according to Mashrah in his interview with "Khuyut," can result in complications such as bladder infections, urethritis (inflammation of the tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body), blood infections, skin inflammations, and others. Therefore, it is recommended to change the diaper every three hours and leave the area where it is placed for the child open for ventilation.
Countermeasures
On November 18, 2023, Saleh Al-Azzani, a resident of Aden, wrote on his Facebook page a plea to the relevant authorities. He complained about a brand of "imported" diapers that he claimed were expired. He mentioned that his child suffered severe inflammation and a skin rash that caused bleeding, all due to using these diapers.
The relevant authorities in the internationally recognized government took his complaint into consideration, despite the difficulty of the task and the magnitude of the costs. This was confirmed in a statement to "Khuyut" by Soufian Al-Alyani, the General Manager of the Industry and Commerce Office in Aden Governorate.
It is worth mentioning that three years ago, the port of Sarfait in Al-Mahrah Governorate (Eastern Yemen) managed to seize a shipment of children's diapers weighing around 7 tons, expired and unfit for use, coming from abroad to the port of Salalah in Oman before passing through the Sarfait port. Additionally, more than once, other shipments were seized during the past two years. Also, in the same year 2019, 2000 cartons (about 4 tons) of expired diapers were seized inside a trader's warehouse in Marib Governorate, Northern-Eastern Yemen. The trader had sold 100 cartons of them, which circulated in the markets of Marib city, resulting in 25 children from the governorate being affected, according to the Consumer Protection Association in Marib Governorate. The Shahn border crossing also seized 44 cartons of children's diapers for not conforming to Yemeni standards and specifications.
Those quantities prompted the Shura Council in the internationally recognized government to direct the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, represented by the Consumer Protection Association, to address the spread of children's diapers and sanitary napkins circulating in the markets. These products were imported from factory scraps and expired, and not meeting quality standards and specifications.
Despite the government's efforts to regulate and combat this issue, they remain limited due to the ongoing division in the country resulting from the war and conflict since 2015.
Counterfeit Products and Weak Penalties
According to Article 312 of Yemeni law, anyone who falsifies or tampers with weights, measures, stamps, marks, inspection devices, or uses counterfeit versions of them for human or animal food or medical drugs shall be punished with imprisonment for up to one year or a fine.
The issue goes beyond counterfeiting foreign brands or names; it has extended to raw materials used in local products. The Consumer Protection Association indicates that there are factories and warehouses, some of which have been seized, that import factory waste and expired diapers in the form of large bales containing diapers. They repackage and label them, imitating famous brands or falsifying their data, and then distribute them in the markets.
In this context, "Khuyut" has learned from informed sources about the seizure of one of these facilities containing all the tools of the crime, including diapers, date-stamping machines, adhesives, and packaging with trademarks belonging to a well-known company. However, there are attempts to resolve the case without considering the harm that may be inflicted on children and women, as well as the potential health and environmental disasters resulting from these actions.
After researching and investigating the adulterated materials, also known as factory waste, we found that they are waste from sponge factories and remnants from cotton fabric factories. These materials contain chemicals that significantly impact those involved in shredding and processing them in the factory, posing a significant danger to children who use these products, according to a source at the Industry and Trade Office.
As for the raw materials that pass through the Shahan border crossing, and which are used in the manufacture of diapers, a source at the Shahan port said: "Various raw materials used to pass through the port, including: absorbent granules, non-woven fabric, adhesive glue, printed packaging bags, and chemicals that are imported entirely from China.
In Sanaa, there is one factory, as confirmed by sources consulted by "Khuyut," that is under the supervision of the relevant authorities in the Yemeni capital. However, there is no information available about other factories due to the halt in importing raw materials through the Shahan port, in addition to the limited capabilities of the relevant authorities to inspect raw materials, often relying on examining the final product only..
“The most important tests conducted on diapers include absorbency capacity, absorption rate, pH level, and the adhesive strip, which is made of glue, a chemical substance. All of these undergo laboratory tests to ensure they meet the specifications. These measurements are conducted on both local and imported products.”
The Yemen Standardization Metrology and Quality Control Organization in Aden and areas under the internationally recognized government's administration suffer from a shortage of resources and high- precision laboratories that enable them to detect toxic substances in diapers. Therefore, only visual and superficially inspections are conducted without thorough testing.
An official at the Yemen Standardization Metrology and Quality Control Organization in Aden, who preferred not to disclose his name, says in a statement to "Khuyut" that the war has cast its shadow over the laboratories of the organization in Aden, which is under the internationally recognized government. All the organization's laboratories are located in Sanaa, under the control of Ansar Allah (the Houthis), which are considered advanced and accredited. Therefore, the organization in Aden only has a microbiological laboratory, in addition to devices and laboratories within the available capabilities.
Likewise, the director of the Yemen Standardization Metrology and Quality Control Organization in Taiz Yasser Al-Absi, confirmed to "Khuyut," that there are no laboratories that enable them to meet the testing requirements.
As for the port of Al-Hodeidah, it cannot confirm that the diapers contain toxic substances, so it would require a laboratory test. This is because the inspection at ports is based on only samples testing according to the requirements of the Yemeni specifications and standards. If the results meet the requirements of these standards, they are all considered compliant, according to an official at the port.
Conditions, Specifications, and Counterfeit Aids
A source at the Shahan border crossing, who preferred not to be identified, confirmed to "Khuyut" the harm to consumers in case of non-compliance specifications and standards. The specifications for disposable baby diapers stipulate that they must be made of materials that do not cause harm during regular use. They should be made of absorbent materials that do not cause harm and contain cellulose or cotton materials or similar materials with good absorption capabilities. Additionally, they should have padding that provides comfort to the child. The adhesive strip should be made of a material that is not affected by heat and moisture, as its susceptibility to these factors can be harmful to children's health.
The most important tests conducted on diapers include absorbency capacity, absorption rate, pH level, and the adhesive strip, which is made of glue, a chemical substance. All of these undergo laboratory tests to ensure they meet the specifications. These measurements are conducted on both local and imported products.
The aid and relief diapers provided by organizations have made Yemen a suitable ground for the entry of counterfeit diapers. For example, a diaper brand named "Molforarm" was included in various relief aids coming through an organization from Britain. These diapers were supplied under the name of a charitable institution in Yemen, but the organization that shipped them to Yemen remains unknown, according to a source at Shahan port.
In turn, the director of Consumer Protection in Marib Governorate, Abdullah Al-Yajouri, tells "Khuyut" that diapers have a shelf life of two years from their production date. When this expiration date is reached, the preservative materials in the diapers transform into a toxic substance that could lead to cancer, he described.
News: Seizure of Counterfeit and Non-Compliant Baby Diapers in Sana'a
Procedures and Responsibility Conflicts
Amal Al-Omari, the Quality Assurance Department Manager at the Yemen Standardization, Metrology, and Quality Control Organization in Sanaa, confirms that no violations regarding children's diapers, whether domestically manufactured or imported, have been reported to the organization.
Al-Omari adds, "We re-examine the product if we receive a complaint from a citizen, and there is no explicit provision in the specifications and standards that specifies the presence of chemical or carcinogenic substances in children's diapers. We do not have the capabilities at the organization to prove this or to demonstrate that the diapers are non-compliant in terms of containing waste from fabric or imported cotton factories that are not of good quality.”
She also indicates that their work in the quality field does not involve verifying if the merchandise has expired or not, as the goods enter through the ports with a good date, but it is the merchant who hoards them in their stores until they expire, and this falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
On the other hand, there are several procedures for registering a trademark or diaper agency with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as explained by Abdullah Al-Khawlani, the Director of Company Registration at the Ministry in Sanaa. The merchant applying to register a trademark must own a shop and have a commercial registry for importation. They should submit the application to the Ministry with the name of the trademark they want to register. If the merchant is an agent for a company, he must provide an agency authorized by the Yemeni consulate or embassy, allowing them to register the trademark in Yemen. Subsequently, the application document is authenticated by the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then translated from English to Arabic, accompanied by personal ID, a lease agreement, a commercial registry copy with an expiration date, and personal photos.
With all these procedures in place, one wonders if there is collusion between government entities and merchants who import counterfeit or expired raw materials for diaper manufacturing, which are widely circulated in various Yemeni markets, including poor quality, counterfeit, and contaminated varieties, as demonstrated by this investigation.
