France recalls over 250,000 potentially substandard condoms
French health and consumer protection authorities are recalling about 260,000 condoms, mostly sold online, after tests found defects including a burst risk. Roughly 40,000 had already reached buyers.
France's anti-fraud agency DGCCRF and the health agency DGS issued a joint statement on Friday announcing the recall of approximately 260,000 condoms found to be potentially defective. Around 1,000 boxes, equivalent to about 40,000 individual condoms, had already been sold before the recall, mostly through major online marketplaces where they were offered by vendors based in Asia.
Defects found
Laboratory testing identified two non-compliant products. One carries a risk of bursting, while the other was also found to have perforations. Authorities said the items lacked the mandatory CE marking required to certify compliance with European Economic Area standards, and in most cases also lacked third-party conformity assessment and packaging in French.
The agencies warned that using these condoms could pose serious risks to health and safety, including exposure to sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. People who used the recalled products were advised to get tested for STIs, and anyone with reason for concern — such as a missed or late period — was urged to take a pregnancy test.
Brands involved
Among the products named were two brands manufactured by Japan's Okamoto Industries, along with MyLubie and Friday Bae, made by Passage du Desir. The online retailers involved have reportedly agreed to remove the listings from sale and accept returns of the recalled items.
In France, people up to age 25 can obtain free condoms at pharmacies without a prescription, a policy launched during Emmanuel Macron's presidency aimed at reducing STI transmission and unplanned pregnancies.
