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More than 40,000 defective condoms sold online and in pharmacies: Buyers at risk of infection and pregnancy
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsCenter8/22/2026

More than 40,000 defective condoms sold online and in pharmacies: Buyers at risk of infection and pregnancy

An investigation by French authorities has identified over 40,000 non-compliant condoms sold online and in pharmacies, including brands such as Friday Bae, Okamoto, Sagami, and My Lubie. These products failed to meet EU safety standards, lacked proper labeling in French, or had defects like rupture risks. The DGCCRF and DGS reported that around 10,000 packages were sold online, primarily through Asian distributors, while some were available in stores and pharmacies. Two products with CE markings were still found to be non-compliant. The Ministry of Health has initiated recalls, affecting approximately 260,000 units. Authorities warn users of increased risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy, advising testing and urging internet platforms to remove suspicious listings.

French authorities have issued a warning about tens of thousands of potentially defective condoms sold through online platforms, pharmacies, and retail stores, raising concerns over their safety and effectiveness. The alert comes after laboratory tests identified two products with risks of bursting or containing perforations, prompting officials to recall approximately 260,000 condoms from circulation. These products were found to be non-compliant with European safety standards and lacked proper labeling in French, according to official statements released earlier this week. The warning was jointly issued by France’s Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) and the High Council for Public Health (DGS). They confirmed that 30 different lines of condoms had been identified on online marketplaces without the required CE marking or appropriate French-language instructions. Among these, around 1,000 boxes, containing more than 40,000 individual condoms, had already been sold before the recall was initiated. Online platforms have agreed to remove these products from their listings, as stated in the official communication. The affected condom brands include those produced by Japanese company Okamoto Industries, such as Friday Bae and My Lubie, along with products from the brand Passage du Desir. Some of these items were available on major e-commerce sites like Amazon, while others could be found in pharmacies and other retail channels. Officials noted that some of the recalled products bore the CE mark but still failed to meet the necessary compliance requirements. One product was found to carry a risk of rupture, while another showed signs of perforation despite its certification. Health authorities have advised individuals who used these condoms to undergo testing for sexually transmitted infections and to take pregnancy tests if they experience a missed menstrual period. This recommendation stems from the potential health risks associated with using faulty contraception, which could increase the likelihood of unintended pregnancies or exposure to infections. The issue has sparked concern among public health officials, who emphasized the importance of ensuring that all medical devices meet strict regulatory standards. In addition to the recall efforts, authorities have instructed internet platforms to urgently remove related advertisements. So far, 36 ads have been taken down, and external sellers have been notified. Several platforms have announced additional checks to improve detection of similar products in the future. Consumers are being urged to verify that condoms bear the CE marking, contain clear instructions, have a valid expiration date, and come in undamaged packaging before making purchases. The French government has reiterated the need for vigilance in selecting safe and reliable contraceptive products, especially given the growing reliance on online shopping for such items. The recall follows a series of investigations launched in late May and early June, which led to the identification of nearly 260,000 affected units. These actions highlight ongoing challenges in monitoring the quality of consumer goods sold both domestically and internationally, particularly through digital marketplaces. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and work with manufacturers and retailers to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (1)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

4 reports

Jutarnji list logoJutarnji listIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 908/22/2026
Big condom scandal: 260,000 withdrawn, emergency warning issued

Francuska agencija za borbu protiv prijevara (DGCCRF) i zdravstvena agencija (DGS) objavile su upozorenje o 260.000 kondoma koji su bili povučeni iz prodaje nakon što su laboratorijski testovi otkrili rizik od pucanja ili perforacija. Upozorenje se odnosi na proizvode japanske tvrtke Okamoto Industries, te na marke My Lubie i Friday Bae tvrtke Passage du Desir. Agencije su također pronašle 30 linija kondoma na internet-trgovinama bez EU oznaka sukladnosti ili oznaka na francuskom jeziku. Korisnicima se preporučuje da se testiraju na spolno prenosive bolesti i da naprave test na trudnoću ako je menstruacija izostala.

Bias read (Center): Vijest se fokusira na zdravstveno upozorenje i regulativne akcije agencija, bez evidentnog političkog slanja. Iako se radi o zdravstvenoj sigurnosti, temeljna tema je regulacija tržišta i kvalitet proizvoda, što je neutralan podloga za analizu. Vijest nije nagnuta ni ka lijevoj ni ka desnoj strani,

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the recall of approximately 260,000 condoms, aligns with the primary source document from Euronews regarding the DGCCRF and DGS warnings, and mentions the specific brands and issues such as missing CE markings and perforations. It also includes details about the affect

Why objectivity (90): The tone remains informative and advisory, focusing on the facts without evident bias. However, the use of emotionally charged terms like 'veliki skandal' (big scandal) could be seen as slightly subjective, though it reflects public concern rather than overt editorializing.

Telegram.hr logoTelegram.hrIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 888/21/2026
French authorities have warned that tens of thousands of condoms are potentially defective and at risk of bursting.

Francuske državne agencije, DGCCRF i DGS, upozorile su na desetke tisuća kondoma koji mogu biti neispravni i imati rizik od pucanja ili perforacija. Preko 260.000 kondoma bilo je povučeno iz prodaje nakon laboratorijskih testova. Agencije su također pronašle 30 linija kondoma na internetu bez potrebnih oznaka. Od tih, već je prodano oko 40.000 kondoma. Proizvođači su uklonili proizvode iz ponude, a upozorenje se odnosi na marke od japanske tvrtke Okamoto Industries, te na marke My Lubie i Friday Bae tvrtke Passage du Desir.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding a health safety issue involving condoms, without taking a political stance. It reports on actions taken by French governmental agencies and does not frame the issue in a politically charged manner. The focus is on public health and regulatory action

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the recall of over 260,000 condoms and aligns closely with the primary source document from Euronews. It mentions the brands affected, the risk of bursting and perforations, and advises users to get STI tests and pregnancy tests. However, it omits specific details like

Why objectivity (88): The tone remains informative and advisory, focusing on public health concerns. While it presents the facts clearly, it uses slightly emotive language such as 'potencijalno neispravno' (potentially defective) which could be seen as slightly alarmist, though still within reasonable bounds.

Net.hr logoNet.hrIndependentCenterFactual 93Objective 878/21/2026
260,000 condoms were recalled from pharmacies, and more than 40,000 defective condoms were sold to customers.

French anti-fraud agency DGCCRF and health agency DGS have warned about thousands of potentially defective condoms being sold online, in stores, and pharmacies. Over 260,000 condoms distributed by pharmacies and stores were recalled after lab tests identified two products as posing a risk of rupture or perforation. Consumers advised to get tested for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy if their period is missed. The agencies also found 30 lines of condoms lacking EU conformity markings or French labeling on online platforms. Around 40,000 units from these brands, produced by Japanese company Okamoto Industries and brands My Lubie and Friday Bae from Passage du Desir, have already been sold. Platforms agreed to remove these products from sale.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a product recall involving condoms, focusing on regulatory actions taken by French authorities. It does not take a partisan stance, nor does it emphasize any particular political group or ideology. The framing remains neutral, providing balanced context

Why factuality (93): The article accurately reflects the recall numbers, the brands involved, and the reasons for the recall. It matches the primary source in detailing the 40,000 condoms sold online and the 260,000 recalled. It also includes the recommendation for STI and pregnancy tests.

Why objectivity (87): The tone is informative and advisory, similar to the others. It avoids strong emotional language but does use phrases like 'neispravnih kondoma' (defective condoms) which could be seen as slightly biased towards concern rather than neutrality.

Večernji list logoVečernji listIndependentCenterFactual 92Objective 858/21/2026
More than 40,000 defective condoms sold online and in pharmacies: Buyers at risk of infection and pregnancy

An investigation by French authorities has identified over 40,000 non-compliant condoms sold online and in pharmacies, including brands such as Friday Bae, Okamoto, Sagami, and My Lubie. These products failed to meet EU safety standards, lacked proper labeling in French, or had defects like rupture risks. The DGCCRF and DGS reported that around 10,000 packages were sold online, primarily through Asian distributors, while some were available in stores and pharmacies. Two products with CE markings were still found to be non-compliant. The Ministry of Health has initiated recalls, affecting approximately 260,000 units. Authorities warn users of increased risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy, advising testing and urging internet platforms to remove suspicious listings.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information from French regulatory agencies without overt ideological framing. It reports on a public health concern without taking sides, focusing on the actions of authorities and the need for consumer caution. While the issue involves government regulation, the tone,措

Why factuality (92): This article provides accurate figures and aligns well with the primary source, mentioning the brands, the number of condoms recalled, and the testing process. It includes the CE marking issue and the advice for users. Minor discrepancies include the phrasing of dates and slight variations in brand

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone but uses more dramatic language such as 'rizik od zaraze i trudnoće' (risk of infection and pregnancy) which could be interpreted as sensationalizing the situation, even though it's intended to raise awareness.

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