Ansell, which supplies the UK’s National Health Service and is one of Brightway’s most notable clients, told FMT that it had suspended North America orders placed with Brightway Group until the company had resolved matters with US Customs.

However, an Ansell spokesman said the company was not aware of what specific evidence the US Customs had, and would “closely monitor this situation”.

Ansell said it was aware of several non-compliances at Brightway facilities through its third party audit programme and continues to work closely with Brightway on remediation plans.

Kimberly-Clark, the US company that owns Kleenex, Scott and Huggies, told FMT it had taken action to ensure compliance with the US Customs order.

A company spokesman said Brightway had “made progress in key areas” but the new order “demonstrates they have more work to be done”.

Last week’s Customs order instructed US ports of entry to seize disposable gloves produced in Malaysia by three companies in the Brightway Group – Brightway Holdings, Laglove and Biopro.

Brightway Group was thrust into the spotlight last year after raids on two of the company’s subsidiaries led human resources minister M Saravanan to describe the squalid conditions for foreign workers as “modern day slavery”.

FMT has asked Brightway for comment on the US Customs ban.