How to tell if a mask is counterfeit
While it might be tough to distinguish an expertly copied mask from an authentic one, there are a few key red flags that tell when you should be wary.
The packaging is questionable: A product from a legitimate company will arrive in a sealed, tamper-evident package that contains the company's information.
The packaging contains misspelled words: Misspelled words and blatant grammatical errors are two ways to identify a counterfeit KN95 mask.
Words like "genuine" or "authentic" appear on the packaging: The CDC states, "If a listing claims to be 'legitimate' and 'genuine,' it likely is not."
The mask is "FDA-approved": The FDA is not responsible for testing masks.
The mask is "NIOSH-approved": NIOSH does not approve KN95 masks. KN95 masks are manufactured in China and imported to the U.S.
Consider the seller's name: Be wary of sellers with questionable names (e.g., one spelled using only consonants).
There is no expiration date: A KN95 mask does not last forever. All genuine KN95 masks come with an expiration date.
There is no GB number or branding on the mask: A KN95 mask is stamped with "GB2626-2019." This means the mask was made according to Chinese respirator standards. Older masks are stamped with "GB2626-2006." As long as the expiration date is still good, these masks are good to use.
Review the seller's history and reviews: If a seller has a history of selling a wide variety of rotating products, there's a good chance you are purchasing is a counterfeit.
Consider the details: Is there "unlimited stock" during a shortage? Are the graphics crisp or do they appear cut and pasted? Does important information only appear in an image and not as text? Is the contact email from a free email service?
Item 1 of 6
Item 1 of 6
expiredSmilingKite474 posted Mar 8, 2022 5:41 PM
30-Pack Rasav 5-Layer KN95 Face Masks (Black)
$7.90
$15
47% off
Amazon
Top Comments
On a different note, some KN95 masks I bought in 2020 did a very good job of filtering out smoke and even smells from cooking food. But some NIOSH Certified N95 masks made in the US (the ones from a previous SD deal from OfficeMax/Depot : 20 for $10) I bought did not do as good a job of eliminating cooking smells as the cheaper KN95, even though they were much sturdier and more robust than the KN95 ones.
EDIT: Also, the KN95 masks in this deal come packaged in bunches of 10. If you need individually wrapped masks to give other people, then you may want to get something else.
Hmmm, I wonder who is giving a thumbs-down on every single comment on this deal? Maybe the SD mods will notice.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!
117 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Are we supposed to get these or K95's?
Thank you.
I got on the Kiimberly-Clark deal a while back when it was $28-ish for 50/pack but they're back up to $48 for a 50/pack
https://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-C...spirators/
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank langnex
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Are we supposed to get these or K95's?
Thank you.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank ihatemyhonda
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!