#OnShelf: Cleanliness is next to hygiene in Covid world

by Louise Burgers. Many new product releases are about safety, hygiene, and new sanitising and testing products for infection control in this weird new world of ours.

Infection tools abound

South African security technology company SECU Exports has introduced a range of products to help companies, including at factories, elevate their health security and safety in the continued fight against COVID-19. Early detection of infection is key obviously, through the use of fever screening protocols which are crucial in preventing and containing the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19. Contactless infrared thermometers, as well as thermal temperature cameras can give an inaccurate reading when used incorrectly or when not correctly set. SECU Exports have a wide range of quality FLIR fever screening equipment, including FLIR thermal imaging and temperature screening products to detect elevated skin temperature in large groups of people easily, and reliably, which can be set up at checkpoints; or used as hand-held devices at entrances to schools, businesses, airport borders, and any institution that requires mass screening. The company is concerned that many cheap devices flooding the market may not all meet necessary standards; or be operated by individuals who are fully trained.

Fair Cape commemorates renewable energy win

Fair Cape Dairies has launched a limited edition, yellow-lidded EcoFresh milk bottles to commemorate the 254 155 kWh of renewable energy produced and used since October 2018. Since the Fair Cape Solar Switchover took place on 24 October 2018, all milking during daylight hours has been powered purely by solar energy, saving carbon emissions equivalent to burning 90 000 kilogrammes of coal, or driving 40 cars non-stop for an entire year.

“We are totally committed to environmental stewardship and reducing our impact on the environment, and we are extremely proud of the emissions savings we’ve achieved over the past 18 months by replacing coal-derived energy with clean energy,” said Louis Loubser, CMO of Fair Cape Dairies. “At Fair Cape, the philosophy of Do the Right Thing is our moral and ethical compass; and our brand is based on three pillars: animal welfare, social welfare and environmental welfare. Our solar powered milk is just one of many ways that we constantly strive to minimise our impact on the environment in line with our ‘environmental welfare’ pillar.”

Covid track and trace app for business

Ukheshe, a SMME focused digital banking platform, has launched a Track and Trace service using its existing payment ecosystem to assist consumers to manage any possible risk factors in level three lockdown. Clayton Hayward, CEO and co-founder, Ukheshe, says that Covid-19 is a concern for all citizens and in addition to making the platform free for grant disbursements, Ukheshe wanted to assist in other ways: “We created a track and trace solution to assist consumers to keep updated on infection rates and if they have been compromised.”

As a registered user, by simply checking-in, using the Ukheshe app or via WhatsApp at any business displaying the company’s Masterpass QR code, you will be updated on any Covid-19 infections. For new users without a smartphone, Ukheshe can be accessed by using a USSD code. “If any infections are reported, the track and trace solution will enable the relevant venue to immediately contact anyone that has visited the location: “Our payment platform is a perfect solution to keep consumers updated and to help fight to flatten the curve,” says Hayward. The Ukheshe App is free, user friendly and easy to download for anyone needing to transact without a bank account.

Louise Burgers (previously Marsland) is the Publisher and Editor and Co-Founder of RetailingAfrica.com. She has spent over 20 years writing about the FMCG retailing, marketing, media and advertising industry in South Africa and on the African continent. She has specialised in local and Africa consumer trends and is a passionate Afro-optimist who believes it is Africa’s time to rise again and that the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will be a global gamechanger in the next decade.

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