French health authorities have advised consumers to get tested for sexually transmitted infections after more than 40,000 non compliant condoms were sold in France in recent months.
The joint warning was published on Friday, August 21, by the Ministry of Health and the fraud control agency DGCCRF. Authorities identified around 30 product references available online and in pharmacies that fail to meet European safety standards. They reported that approximately 1,000 boxes, containing over 40,000 non compliant condoms, were distributed over the internet, primarily through Asian vendors.
Officials warned that using defective condoms creates severe risks for public health, including the transmission of infections and unintended pregnancies.
Affected brands and retail chains
The non compliant condoms were not restricted to foreign online marketplaces, as significant numbers were commercialised through major French retail outlets. According to the government recall portal Rappel Conso, affected products included items from the Friday Bae, Okamoto, Sagami, and My Lubie product lines.
Consumers were able to purchase these items through major platforms and physical stores, including Amazon, Monoprix, Passage du Désir, Mademoiselle Bio, Nuoo, and Ayanature, as well as in pharmacies across the country.
Following the official alert, online platforms were required to immediately remove listings for the non compliant items and notify third-party vendors. Several marketplaces stated they would recheck their seller verification systems and product filtering rules.
Safety standards and defects
According to the DGCCRF and the General Directorate of Health, almost all of the identified product lines lacked the required CE conformity marking. Most also failed to provide product packaging written in the French language.
Authorities noted that two of the identified condom references had obtained CE marking but remained non compliant upon inspection. One reference presented a risk of bursting during use, while the other carried a risk of perforation. In addition to the recent sales warning, officials confirmed that around 260,000 units were subject to recalls launched at the end of May and early August.
In France, product safety is supervised by the DGCCRF, which acts as the national fraud watchdog, alongside the General Directorate of Health under the Ministry of Health. Under European Union regulations, the CE marking demonstrates that a medical device or personal safety item has been evaluated to meet strict safety and quality standards before being placed on the market.
Health guidance for consumers
Health officials have advised anyone who used the non compliant condoms to seek medical screening for sexually transmitted infections. Women who experience a delay in their menstrual cycle are urged to take a pregnancy test.
The fraud control agency reminded buyers to inspect medical products carefully before use. Consumers must confirm the presence of the CE mark, verify that instructions are printed in French, check the integrity of the packaging, and ensure the product has not passed its expiration date.
