Fake condoms warning (From Barry And District News)

Fake condoms warning

TRADING Standards officers at the Vale of Glamorgan Council are warning consumers about fake condoms that have been on sale across the country.

The warning follows the discovery by leading condom manufacturer Durex that counterfeit products have been supplied to shops and pharmacies nationwide, packed in fake Durex boxes.

The council and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency are advising anyone who has recently bought condoms to check the boxes for some tell-tale signs that they are fakes.

Customers should check boxes of 12 Durex Extra Safe condoms for the batch number 20602503, and boxes of 12 Durex Fetherlite for the number VR3073C.

Poor quality printing on the rogue Fetherlite boxes means that the letter'C' in the batch code may also appear as an'E', while the batch number on the foil wrappers inside will appear as VR3073U.

Rebecca Hinton, of Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards, said: "If you have recently purchased either of these products, please check the boxes for these batch numbers.

"If the batch numbers appear on the packaging, please be aware that these are not real Durex condoms and therefore should not be used as there is no guarantee that they are safe. Take the box back to where you bought it and ask for a refund or exchange for a genuine product."

No other Durex products are believed to be affected.

A Durex spokesman said they are working with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to ensure people are made aware of this counterfeit and inferior product. If you have any queries concerning the matter contact the Durex Careline on 0800 074 2040.