50 million NHS masks wasted

The ear loop fastening masks are said to not fit as tightly as those with a head loop.

The £252 million contract was for Ayanda Capital to supply the Department of Health and Social Care with two types of face masks, including FFP2 respirator masks.

To ensure the mask is effective, a tight seal between the mask and the wearer's face is required, and to achieve this the wearer needs to undergo a face fit test. 

Alan Murray, chief executive of the British Safety Industry Federation, told the BBC, "The face fit is either a pass or a fail and there are more fails on products with ear loops than there are on products with head harnesses.

"That means that it wouldn't necessarily provide the protection that was required from it."

It is reported that the 150 million Type IIR masks that were also supplied by Ayanda Capital are unaffected.