Full Breakdown
France Issues Recall of Hundreds of Thousands of Potentially Unsafe Condoms
8/22/2026, 12:12:07 AM
Warning Issued on August 21
On August 21, France’s anti-fraud authority (Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes – DGCCRF) and the health agency (Direction Générale de la Santé – DGS) released a joint warning about condoms sold online, in shops and pharmacies that may be defective. The agencies announced a recall and urged users to seek STI screening and pregnancy testing if they had used the products.
Scope of the Recall
The joint statement specified that roughly 260,000 condoms are being recalled. Of those, about 1,000 boxes—equating to more than 40,000 individual condoms—had already been sold. The recall targets two product lines identified as having a risk of bursting or perforations. Brands named include two lines from Japanese manufacturer Okamoto Industries and French brands My Lubie and Friday Bae, marketed by Passage du Désir.
Agency Findings and Compliance Issues
Laboratory analyses cited by DGCCRF and DGS found the affected condoms lacked the mandatory CE marking that confirms conformity with European Economic Area standards. Most also omitted required French-language packaging. The agencies classified the products as non-compliant medical devices that could pose serious health risks, including sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.
Official Responses and Consumer Guidance
My Lubie’s chief executive officer Pierre Lagache told Reuters that the recall concerns a single batch that initially tested negative, but the company withdrew it as a precaution. He emphasized that no other products in the brand’s range are affected and that no harm has been reported. Okamoto Industries and Friday Bae have not responded to requests for comment. Online marketplaces have agreed to remove the listings and return the recalled stock.
Broader Context and Public Health Implications
France provides free condoms to individuals up to age 25 through pharmacies, a policy introduced under President Emmanuel Macron to reduce STIs and unwanted pregnancies. The current recall underscores the importance of regulatory compliance for contraceptive devices and highlights the role of consumer vigilance when purchasing health products online.
