The clarification came after shoppers noticed the label on Dettol spray bottle specified it can kill cold viruses.
Dettol clarified there is no evidence its disinfectant spray can kill the deadly Wuhan coronavirus after a shopper spotted it on the label and shared its picture on Facebook.
The clarification came after some shoppers noticed the label on the back of Dettol spray bottle specified it can kill “cold viruses (human coronavirus and RSV). Photo shared on Facebook shows the label of the cleaning product read: ‘Kills E.Coli, sammonella, MRSA, rotavirus, flu virus, cold viruses, human coronavirus and RSV’.
According to The Sun, Facebook user, Mark Carter, who shared the photo of the label, wrote: ‘This kills coronavirus how did they know about it in 2019?’
Dettol manufacturer RB was quick to clarify that the label refers to more common strains of the virus which it has been tested with and proven to kill. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause respiratory infections which are typically mild, including the common cold.
Dettol manufacturer’s said in a statement: “RB has become aware of speculation about Dettol products and the novel 2019-nCoV coronavirus. As this is an emerging outbreak RB, like all manufacturers, doesn’t yet have access to the new virus (2019-nCoV) for testing and, as a result, are not yet in a position to confirm levels of effectiveness against the new strain.”
The firm added they will “continue to play our part in combating and containing the outbreak of the virus” and donated £5.5 million in cash and products to hospitals in Wuhan.
