A Phoenix family is calling for an urgent investigation after a local woman allegedly became seriously ill after consuming a snuff product that they believe may have been contaminated.

According to Sivagamie Naidoo, her mother, Savandalay Cerff, purchased a container of snuff from a local tuck shop on June 9 and began experiencing severe symptoms shortly thereafter.

Naidoo said her mother initially developed hot flushes, dizziness and a high temperature before her condition worsened. She reported suffering from a burning sensation in her mouth, throat and stomach, making it difficult for her to eat or drink.

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Her face also became swollen, while the skin on her thumb and index finger on both hands reportedly began peeling after repeated contact with the product.

“My mother’s mouth was burning, and she could barely eat anything because her throat and stomach felt like they were on fire. The fingers she used to place the snuff in her mouth were also affected, and the skin started peeling off,” Naidoo said.

Believing her mother’s symptoms may have been linked to the product, Naidoo examined the snuff container and immediately noticed what she described as a strong chemical odour.

“The smell was overwhelming. It was not the normal smell associated with snuff. It smelled more like a cleaning chemical,” she added.

Concerned by the unusual odour, Naidoo visited the tuck shop where the product had been purchased. She said the owner acknowledged selling the item to her mother but was unable to provide a receipt or invoice relating to the purchase.

Naidoo further alleged that other containers from the same stock carried the same strong chemical smell. However, after obtaining samples of the same product from several other shops, she found that while the packaging and barcode matched, the contents appeared different.

“The product my mother used was darker in colour, almost black, and noticeably moist. The samples from other shops looked like normal brown tobacco snuff and did not have the same chemical smell,” she claimed.

The family believes the product may have contained excessive levels of ammonia or another chemical substance.

However, no laboratory testing has yet been conducted to confirm the presence of any harmful chemicals or establish a direct link between the product and Cerff’s illness. Naidoo said her primary concern remains her mother’s health.

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“My focus is getting my mother the medical care she needs and ensuring that whatever caused this is properly investigated,” she said.

The family has compiled evidence, including photographs and samples of the product, and is seeking answers regarding the source and safety of the batch in question.