Manitoba says KN95 masks being handed out are good for three years; box contains printing error

Is your cloth mask still effective against COVID-19? CTV’s Renee Rodgers speaks with epidemiologist Cynthia Carr on whether cloth masks still provide adequate protection against COVID-19.

Boxes of KN95 masks being handed out at Manitoba Liquor Stores and Winnipeg casinos are safe to use, despite an early expiry date listed on the box.

Several social media posts showed photos of the mask boxes with a one-year expiry date.

In a Tweet, Reg Helwer, Minister of Central Services, said the masks handed out are safe to use.

“The province has heard your concerns about expiration dates on the masks and we want to assure you that the manufacture has stated that all KN95 masks are good for three years after the production or manufacture date,” Helwer tweeted. “The box had a printing error which states one year.”

A provincial spokesperson directed CTV Winnipeg to the website of Longan Merchandise, which says all batches of masks from 2020 contained a printing error, incorrectly stating they expired after one year.

“The expiration date is exactly three years after production. The amount of static electricity on the filter layer will be ineffective after three years,” the company said. “We do not recommend storing the mask for more than three years, whether you open the package or not.”

The province and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) are partnering to hand out free boxes of KN95 masks at Liquor Marts and Winnipeg casinos. The masks are available free of charge while supplies last.

Mona P. said she was disappointed to find the expiry date had passed but was not shocked in the least.

“Last year, the government gave ECEs, school staff and others old and expired masks that had been stockpiled from 2008 during H1N1, so this being only one year expired I figured it actually wasn’t too bad,” she told CTV News Thursday.

“(It’s) sad when these behaviours are becoming expected and the norm from our government.”

She added she realizes the masks are likely still good to use as long as the elastics and nosepieces are intact.

“But the fact this info wasn’t shared prior to distribution shows the lack of transparency with the PC government,” she said.

Regarding the misprint, she added she is curious to know when the update was added to the company website. She also said when you look under the instructions area on that same product, it still states the validity for only one year.

People should call ahead to Liquor Stores or casinos to see if masks are available before attending to avoid delay.

Masks will be handed out until January 2.

-With files from CTV’s Michelle Gerwing