Chinese condom maker barred over concerns in Africa

Henan authorities have ordered a condom maker to suspend sales of its products, recently found to be problematic in Ghana, because they could tarnish the reputation of Chinese exports to Africa.

The Henan Food and Drug Administration launched a product quality probe and banned the sale of condoms made by the Xibei Latex Company.

A staff member in the administrative office in Yanjin county, Xinxiang, said yesterday that production and business activities halted last weekend.

"They (government inspectors) have taken samples from all product lines for examination," he said. "We have not been informed of the results yet, but they were very serious."

He said that after coming under government pressure, the head of the company and two subordinates had flown to Ghana to help local authorities investigate the problematic condoms.