How to be sure your face mask isn’t a counterfeit
How to be sure your face mask isn’t a counterfeit
Fake N95 and KN95 masks are (unfortunately) a thing. How to know you’re getting the real deal—and the highest level of protection
Where to shop beyond Amazon
Collins's spreadsheet of brands he’s tested is a good place to start. His advice is to buy KF94 masks from companies with direct importing relationships to South Korea. He’s ordered several masks from BeHealthyUSA, New Jersey-based store that, until very recently, was known for importing Korean beauty products. Now it’s selling masks, and because the company owners had preexisting relationships in South Korea, there’s a better chance that product is actually coming from tightly regulated South Korea and not China.
Armbrust, meanwhile, suggests buying American if you can. In part, because, well, he has a vested interest in people buying American masks. But he also notes that to be an FDA-registered device manufacturer takes significantly more work than selling your mask under an Emergency Use Authorization. Also, American companies can be sued by consumers they wrong. It’s much harder to file a class-action overseas.
Source: https://www.kcra.com/article/avoid-counterfeit-masks-kf94-n95-kn95/37881671
