The ongoing scandal reveals broader issues concerning women's hygiene product safety and quality in China.
**Chinese Sanitary Pad Controversy Sparks Social Media Outrage**
**Chinese Sanitary Pad Controversy Sparks Social Media Outrage**
Chinese women voice frustration after major brands issue apologies over shorter-than-expected sanitary pads.
Chinese manufacturers of sanitary pads are facing a significant backlash after claims emerged that many products do not meet their advertised lengths. Following viral videos on social media, where women measured various popular brands, frustration among consumers has surged. The measurements exposed that most sanitary pads were shorter than indicated on their packaging, leading to accusations of deceit among manufacturers.
The debacle began when a user on Xiaohongshu shared a video on November 3, documenting her measurements of nine different sanitary pad brands. Her findings noted that all brands fell short of their claimed lengths. The video prompted a wave of outrage, with comments such as "Will cutting a few centimetres help you strike it rich?" becoming popular among viewers.
An investigative report by The Paper examined over 20 brands and found that nearly 90% were under 10mm shorter than their advertised length. Furthermore, many of these products contained absorbent layers that were even shorter. National guidelines permit a 4% variation in advertised lengths, but there are no requirements regarding the absorbent layer's dimensions, leaving a significant gap in consumer protection.
As complaints surged, authorities announced intentions to revise national standards for sanitary pads in response to consumer dissatisfaction. One brand, ABC, made headlines after their customer service allegedly remarked, "if you cannot accept [the length difference] then you can choose not to buy it," which only intensified outrage. In mid-November, ABC issued a public apology and committed to achieving "zero deviation" in their future products, alongside apologies from other brands like Shecare and Beishute.
Chinese state media voiced their critique, emphasizing that the quality of sanitary pads is crucial for women's health and comfort. The sanitary pad market in China stands at approximately $13 billion, making it the most widely used feminine hygiene product. However, the industry has faced scrutiny over safety issues in the past, including a notorious case in 2016 where counterfeit sanitary towels were produced in unhygienic settings.
The uproar surrounding this issue signifies deeper frustrations regarding product quality and safety for women. Trending hashtags like "Is it that hard for sanitary pads to tackle women’s needs?" and "Sanitary pads yield a centimetre; women yield for a lifetime" highlight widespread sentiment among women partially feeling let down by the very products designed for their comfort and hygiene.
