Inadequate
Over 30,000 FFP2 masks recalled
© Dan74 / Shutterstock
Precisely for the extended mask requirement, there are now several recalls for FFP2 masks. Over 30,000 products are said to have defects – and only protect three out of ten masks.
Starting today, Monday, the stricter mask requirement in shops and public transport will apply throughout Germany. This was decided on Tuesday during the debate between the federal and state governments on how to deal with the corona pandemic after it had already been announced a few days earlier in Bavaria. But now chaos threatens: Because now several masks are being recalled by official bodies.
30,000 masks recalled
First of all, the district office of Aschaffenburg reported a recall of thousands of FFP2 masks last week. These are said to have been distributed free of charge to caregivers. These are products of the "Fittop" brand, as the press release states, which have already been banned in Schleswig-Holstein.
According to "Main Echo", the district office had received a total of 2,000 of the affected FFP2 masks from the Free State of Bavaria, but only 950 of these are said to have already been delivered to the communities of Kahl, Laufach and Schöllkrippen. These are now said to have been almost completely returned, as reported by "BR24".
However, the recall has now been expanded: The Bavarian Federal Police is currently recalling more than 30,000 FFP2 masks. This should be the same brand of the manufacturer from China. They all have no or an invalid CE mark.
Anyone who has already received "Fittop" brand FFP2 masks from affected areas should no longer use them. Because the reason for the recalls are serious deficiencies: tests are said to have resulted in very fluctuating protective effects. According to "BR24", only three out of ten products would have met the EU standard, the remaining seven would be below. An FFP2 or KN95 mask should have a filter function of at least 94 percent as standard.
How do I now recognize secure FFP2 masks?
When in doubt: ask in pharmacies and shops. On the masks, you should pay attention to the imprint "KN95" or "FFP2" and an additional CE identification. This is proven by testing according to European standards.
Sources used: BR24, Aschaffenburg District Office, Main Echo