Fake condom warning for Birmingham lovers

Jul 5 2009 by Jonny Greatrex, Sunday Mercury

“They were the only ones I had and there was nowhere else nearby to get them from – so that was that for the night.”

The fakes have similar packaging and appearance to the real thing but offer substantially less protection against sexual diseases and unwanted pregnancy.

Following the raid, Trading Standards passed the details of the seized products to manufacturer Durex.

“After receiving the tip-off, officers from Birmingham Trading Standards visited the premises where we seized more than 200 suspect condoms,” a spokesman said.

“We will be speaking with the manufacturer to work out if they are counterfeit.”

Last night, after a three-day investigation, Durex confirmed the products were a fraud.

A spokeswoman said: “We have examined the batch codes and we can confirm that these are fake condoms.

“Like any major household brand we fall foul of counterfeiters from time to time.

“It is rare but we take it very seriously and we will certainly be looking into where they came from.”

Anyone who suspects they have bought fake condoms should not use them.

A spokesman for the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency said: “Counterfeit condoms may not be manufactured to the appropriate British or European standards, and cannot be considered to provide adequate protection against sexually transmitted infection or pregnancy.

“A box of the counterfeit products is difficult to distinguish from the genuine packaging and only on opening can counterfeit condoms be found to have different characteristics to these of the genuine product.

“Counterfeit condoms may have a different profile, may be dotted and may have a fruity smell.”

The origin of the dodgy Durex still remains a mystery because shop owner Aqeel Rehman has lost stock-taking information about where they came from.

“I bought them from a supplier in the Birmingham area,” he told the Sunday Mercury. “I have tried to find the receipt for them but all my paperwork is with my accountant and I cannot remember where I bought them from.

“I was very surprised to find out they were fake – I had no idea.”

If you think you have bought fake condoms call regulators on 0207 0842701.