Over 40,000 non-compliant condoms sold in France pose health risks

French consumer protection agencies and the Ministry of Health have issued a warning regarding the sale of over 40,000 non-compliant condoms. These products, identified across approximately a thousand boxes, were primarily sold online, often through Asian distributors. Several brands, including Friday Bae, Okamoto, Sagami, and My Lubie, are implicated. The condoms are being sold on platforms like Amazon, in pharmacies, and through various retailers. Authorities emphasize that these products lack essential European conformity markings, such as the CE mark, and often do not include French-language packaging. In addition to online sales, two condom types sold in physical stores and pharmacies were also found to be non-compliant, with one posing a risk of bursting and the other containing perforations. Approximately 260,000 units of these latter types were subject to recalls in late May and early August. Online marketplaces have been instructed to immediately remove listings for the affected products and to notify third-party sellers. Several platforms have committed to reviewing their verification systems. The health risks associated with using these substandard condoms include sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. Consumers who have used these products are strongly advised to undergo STI testing and to take a pregnancy test if they experience a delayed period.