Non-compliant condom warning in France: Over 40,000 products sold, testing urged

Health and consumer safety agencies in France have issued a public warning regarding condoms that do not meet safety standards. According to authorities, approximately 1,000 boxes—meaning more than 40,000 condoms—have been sold in recent months, primarily online.

The French General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) and the General Directorate of Health (DGS) stated on Friday that some products had not passed European conformity assessments, despite some of them bearing the CE mark.

Officials reported that the majority of these products were placed on the market by distributors based in Asia. It was noted that the products may have been sold not only on online platforms but also in some stores and pharmacies.

BRANDS AND THE RECALL PROCESS

The brands Friday Bae (Le Préservatif), Okamoto (003 and 002), Sagami Original 002 sold on Amazon, and My Lubie were listed on Rappel Conso, the website where recall notices are published in France. It was reported that My Lubie products were offered for sale in pharmacies and some retail chains in addition to Amazon.

According to the statement, some of the relevant products do not bear the CE mark; none of them have passed the European conformity assessment. The DGCCRF and DGS stated that a significant portion of the products also lacked instructions for use in French.

During inspections conducted in stores and pharmacies, two additional series of condoms that bore the CE mark but failed to meet standards were identified. One was reported for a risk of bursting, while the other was flagged for a risk of perforation. According to the Ministry of Health, a total of approximately 260,000 products have been recalled between the end of May and the beginning of August.

Authorities emphasized that non-compliant condoms could pose serious risks regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Those who have used these products are advised to undergo STI screening and to take a pregnancy test in the event of a missed period.

Online platforms have been requested to immediately remove the relevant listings. It was reported that 36 listings have been taken down so far and third-party sellers have been warned. Some platforms have also announced commitments to review their verification systems and filtering rules regarding these products.

The DGCCRF has called on consumers to check for the CE mark, the presence of instructions for use in French, the expiration date, and the integrity of the packaging when purchasing condoms.

News Source: 12punto