Expired Masks on the Market

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, so did many personal protective equipment retailers. Now that we are outside the most intense parts of the pandemic, it’s clear that many of these companies were trying to make a “quick buck” and are working hard to offload their inventory, and fast. With this in mind, they’re attempting to sell their entire stock, including N95, KN95 and 3-ply face masks that are well past their expiration date. 

If these retailers are selling expired face masks, there is a high probability that the N95/KN95 masks they are offering have not been recently tested by a Health-Canada-approved testing facility either, meaning that there is no way to confirm that they are providing a minimum filter efficiency of 95%. 

How can we navigate the PPE market knowing that some retailers are offering expired masks that are not certified or providing the promised levels of protection?

FIND YOUR TRUSTED RETAILER

The first and most important step to take is to find and look into a trusted personal protective equipment retailer. Your PPE retailer should be equipped with their Health Canada Medical Device Establishment License (MDEL) and have this stated somewhere on their website. They should test their products with a Health-Canada-approved facility regularly and be able to confirm that the masks they are offering provide the promised filtering efficiency. Your personal protective equipment retailer should also be able to confirm that the masks you are purchasing are indeed well before their expiration date!

At PPE Supply Canada, we test our masks regularly, ensuring that we are offering our customers only the best and providing them with the protection they need (and are paying for). All of our products have a shelf life of 1-2 years remaining, and we will never offer our products to our valued customers if they are past their expiration date. We take immense pride in our catalogue and will only continue to provide our communities with superior N95/KN95 and ASTM level 3 masks that are reliable, breathable and offer the stated levels of protection.

Further, your preferred PPE retailer’s website should be user-friendly and recently updated with links to their social media accounts. These accounts should be updated regularly and the retailer should be communicative across all fronts. You want to know that you’re able to get in touch with your retailer with any questions about the face masks and personal protective equipment that they offer. They should be able to provide resources that help you with your purchase (such as a Sizing Chart, FAQ or helpful articles that provide further insight into the world of masks and personal protective equipment). Their product images should be clean, clear, and professional (no photos of models with Photoshopped masks on their faces) and accurately depict the item.

It should be clear that your PPE retailer is present and up-to-date on the most recent news surrounding mask use, as well as striving to provide the best products and services to their customers.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK

If you have any questions about the products you wish to purchase, just reach out and ask! Your personal protective equipment retailer should be happy to assist you in your search for reliable, efficient protection and should be proud/well-informed about the products they have to offer. They should be able to share the expiry date of the masks you’re interested in without hesitation.

They should also have their contact information as well as a contact page that is easily accessible so that you’re able to get in touch with them effortlessly!

At PPE Supply Canada, we’re always here and ready to answer your questions or provide our top recommendations based on your needs! We love chatting with our clients, receiving feedback or helping them find their next go-to mask!

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Finding the right mask for you boils down to finding the right personal protective retailer. When you find a trusted, reliable source for your products, you can rest assured that you’ll be equipping yourself with dependable N95/KN95/disposable face masks that provide the promised levels of protection. 

At PPE Supply Canada, we’re passionate about and educated on the personal protective equipment industry, and we truly work hard to provide only the best experiences for our customers. Our team is ready and eager to answer your questions and help you find your preferred, everyday mask! We would love the opportunity to be your trusted PPE retailer!

With new variants developing across the globe and masking up being promoted by top health officials once again, please be diligent in checking that the masks you are purchasing are legitimate, authentic and well before their expiration date! Stay safe!