2007
Consumer Direct London and Durex are warning people in London to check packs of Durex before they use them. The advice is being issued following a series of seizures of counterfeit condoms in eight boroughs across London.
26 November 2007
The fakes, initially discovered in corner shops in Hackney, are unlikely to provide proper protection against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
Fake condoms have been seized by Trading Standards Officers in Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, Croydon, Camden, Brent, Harrow, Haringey and Richmond as the result of complaints from the public. Testing by Durex has confirmed they are counterfeit.
Seven different types of fake three-packs have been identified:
The brands and serial numbers are as follows:
* Durex Extra Safe – serial numbers 20604354
* Arouser – 20906043
* Ribbed - 20905271/ 20904142/ 2991118
* Performa - TGL 4142
* Gossamer – 21405074
* Select - P4379
* Fetherlite – 21405074
Martyn Ward, Managing Director of Durex said:
'Durex is the world’s leading condom brand with a reputation for trust, reliability and safety. We are completely committed to quality and maintaining the health and safety of our customers.
'As an international company with a high quality brand, Durex, like many other global businesses, is targeted by counterfeiters. We take incidents like this very seriously indeed and adopt a proactive and robust approach towards combating counterfeiters anywhere in the world. We are currently investigating these issues further.
'Durex stresses that there are small numbers of counterfeit condoms on the market and you are unlikely to be affected. As a precaution, the brand is urging users to check batch numbers on the packaging of affected varieties.
If any of the above codes appear on packaging, it is highly likely that these are not genuine Durex condoms and we advise consumers not to use them, as we cannot be sure of their safety.'
Robert Gardner of London Trading Standards Authorities said
'This is yet another example of a criminal attempt to counterfeit a household brand that has been discovered by Trading Standards.
'It is astonishing that independent shopkeepers will buy this type of merchandise from street hawkers and put it on their shelves for sale and eventual profit, without a thought for the possible repercussions.
'Trading Standards will continue to remove these counterfeits from sale and take legal action against those found to be selling them. But as we cannot be everywhere at once, the public must remain on their guard and be sure that they only buy condoms from reputable sources.'
Consumers with any queries are being advised to contact the Durex Careline on 0800 338 739 or Consumer Direct London on 08454 040506
NOTES Consumer Direct:
1. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service. London Councils launched Consumer Direct London to the public in June 2005 in partnership with London’s Trading Standards Authorities. The service is delivered by London Councils through BSS, a non-profit organisation.
2. Consumer Direct has around 350 trained advisers in 11 contact centres across England, Wales and Scotland.
3. The information and advice helpline is available on a single national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 – 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 – 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
4. A service for Welsh speakers is available on 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
5. Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with your phone service provider.
6. Northern Ireland has its own service called ConsumerLine (available on 08456 00 62 62) which is similar to Consumer Direct. Visit the ConsumerLine website.
