Condom packs look like candy

BASED on their packaging, anyone could have mistaken them for boxes containing children-related products. More so the fact that these packs, which have cartoon characters on their front cover, are easily found on the counters of supermarkets, hypermarkets and grocery stores.

But apparently they have nothing to do with kids whatsoever. Rather, they contain condoms.

The small boxes, which contain products from a company that claims to be a leading manufacturer of healthcare barrier protection items, are placed on the same racks as condoms of other brands.

However, according to the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, their fancy designs and overall packaging do not suggest that they are meant for adults.

Cassa president Datuk Jacob George said the vague designs aside, the packs are also displayed within easy reach of children.

“With the colours and designs, they give the impression, especially to children, that there could be sweets, game cards or the electronic gameboy device inside. Even I thought they were meant for the children,” he told The Malay Mail yesterday.

George, who bought several boxes recently after the association was deluged with complaints from consumers, said he was shocked to see the way they were packaged and sold.

“The packaging doesn’t refl ect that they are for adults. We normally know they’re condoms from the packaging.

“In addition, these packs are placed on racks that are waisthigh and children can easily reach them. And the racks are not far from the ice-cream freezer or other products that normally catch the children’s attention.

“This is inappropriate as these hypermarkets are frequented by families.” George said Cassa fi nds the packaging distasteful and feels that the importer should have taken reasonable care and be more sensitive to cultural and family values.

“We have received 77 calls from the public, especially parents who alerted us about the sale of these condoms. They found it unethical to sell adult products in such a manner.

“These consumers have asked us to look into this matter.” George said while the association is not against the sale of the condoms, it has to be done to suit the purpose of the products being medicinal.

“If the manufacturer can come up with such a packaging, we’re afraid that other manufacturers would follow suit.

“We hope the manufacturer will recall the products and redesign their packaging.

“We advise the supermarkets to segregate the adult products so that they are not accessible to the non-target audience.” George urged the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to be more vigilant in monitoring the sale of such products as well as their positioning by the retail outlets.


Source: The Malay Mail