The US government buys millions of condoms every year, shipping them around the world as part of an AIDS prevention effort. Additional condoms are distributed to soldiers and other government workers in risky areas.
Last March, the government decided to stop purchasing condoms from Alatech, an Alabama company that was the sole provider and employed some 300 people in condom manufacturing. Now, the condom manufacturing will be contracted out to Chinese producers, who can produce the condoms for a lower price.
All things being equal, cutting government waste is a fine idea, but China is notorious for quality control issues, and where condoms are concerned this is a matter of obvious importance.
As it turns out, there was a largely unreported scandal in November in which millions of Chinese condoms were found to be faulty, prompting a recall. Although the faulty condoms may well have been produced in another factory, the Chinese market is very difficult to control, and there’s virtually no guarantee that someone won’t try to make a quick buck by swapping the goods before they get shipped out. This is a contingency one simply must plan for in China, but it is unlikely that people with shabby rubbers are going to think about that in the heat of the moment.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
It would have been so much better if the text on that box said Rong Rove.
I’m sorry, I know it’s racist, but come on, that’s funny.
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On the other hand, that would have alienated your Chinese readers, so it’s best we just forget all about it and pretend I never made that comment.
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Chinese in China have no problem with those kinds of jokes. In fact, puns involving mispronunciation are very common features in Chinese jokes. Mostly, it’s oversensitive militants in the US who care.
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Is there one thing, anything , that still works in our
society?
Taxes? Well, yes, O.K.
…..
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Snark –> don’t worry, this website is probably censored over there.
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Well, that’s good to hear.
I say if one can’t laugh at his own race and nationality, he takes these things too seriously.
I, for one, thoroughly enjoy the references to crumpets and poor oral hygiene.
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“Now with less lead and toxins.”
Good to know!
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Is there a list of 100% USA made and manufactured condoms? Brands you can trust?
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“Is there a list of 100% USA made and manufactured condoms? Brands you can trust?”
Have you tried Good Year?
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No wonder why my condoms feel tighter.
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but China is notorious for quality control issues
Like that Chinese tainted milk (candy form) scare – I believe it was “White rabbit” candy?
You get what you pay for.
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@snark
“Rong Rove” – well, my first thought was Karl Rove and (though being a staunch minarchist/libertarian) few things could kill the heat of the moment like the thought of one of the Shrub neo-cons . . .
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I wouldn’t count on that in China.
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“Now with less lead & toxins”
Am I reading right?
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Am I in a Saturday Night Live sketch right now?
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The USG should buy American as a matter of principle. If my tax dollars are gonna be spent anyway, they should be spent in this country, not in China.
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”””””’Rebel January 7, 2010 at 17:26
“Is there a list of 100% USA made and manufactured condoms? Brands you can trust?”
Have you tried Good Year?
””””””’
Use em all the time.
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With approximately 10 trillion Chinese
wtf
do they know
about birth control
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“China is notorious for quality control issues”
Ah… so that’s the reason why the whole world buys Chinese-made products.
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Firepower:
With approximately 10 trillion Chinese
wtf
do they know
about birth control
OMG I think I just soiled myself laughing so hard!
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’10 trillion’ sold it for me … and the line breaks.
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