A big oops... (II)

In a previous post, I alerted my readers to a problem that the BBC reported. Well, this problem has reared its ugly head in the US. According to the Washington Post, Susan Levine reports that "Tens of thousands of condoms provided free by the District to curb HIV-AIDS have been returned to the health department because of complaints that their paper packaging is easily damaged and could render the condoms ineffective.
Demand at two distribution sites in Southeast set up by nonprofit groups plummeted more than 80 percent after the condoms...were introduced this year. More than 2,000 packets a week were scooped up in mid-March, but by late May, only 400 were being given away each week.

Volunteers concerned about why interest had dropped began asking people who had picked up the condoms. They were told about packets ripping in purses or bursting open in pockets. As a result, recipients said they had little confidence that the condoms would offer protection.
In addition, expiration dates on some of the Chinese-made condoms were illegible."

Looks like another recall for products made in China... No problem of lead paint here though...

A big oops...

According to the BBC, "South Africa's health department has recalled millions of condoms given out under a programme it funded.
The company that produced the condoms, Zalatex, allegedly bribed a government official to certify almost four million faulty condoms as up to standard.
The government is now recalling all 20 million Choice brand condoms produced by the company... About five million people in South Africa are believed to be infected with the HIV virus.
Every year, the South African government distributes hundreds of millions of condoms in a bid to control both birth rates and sexually transmitted diseases."

If the bribe portion of the story is true, then this is criminal. Once again, corruption rears its ugly head.