Chinese Companies Apologize Amid Controversy Over Shortened Sanitary Pads
In a significant scandal shaking the feminine hygiene industry in China, several leading sanitary pad manufacturers have issued apologies after accusations surfaced that their products were sold shorter than advertised. This controversy was fueled by viral videos on social media where Chinese women measured the lengths of various popular sanitary pad brands, revealing discrepancies between the actual measurements and what was stated on the packages.
The issue first gained traction on November 3, when a user on Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform, demonstrated that nine different brands of sanitary pads all fell short of their advertised lengths, prompting outrage among consumers. The user humorously questioned, “Will cutting a few centimetres help you strike it rich?”. This sparked widespread criticism across social media, with many users comparing the misleading product size to exaggerated shoe insoles worn by men, highlighting a sense of being deceived.
An investigation conducted by The Paper examined over 20 brands of sanitary pads and found that a staggering 90% were shorter than promised, measuring at least 10mm less. This study also brought to light that many products contained absorbent layers even shorter than the advertised length, raising concerns about functionality and comfort during menstrual periods. National standards allow for a permissible size variance of 4%, but there are no specifications regarding the absorbent layer length in the regulations.
In the aftermath of the outcry, authorities announced plans to revise national standards for sanitary pads. “ABC”, a notable sanitary pad brand, faced backlash for its customer service response to complaints regarding the length discrepancies, which suggested that dissatisfied consumers could simply choose not to purchase the product. In response to the negative feedback, ABC issued an apology for this response and pledged to ensure “zero deviation” in their product lengths going forward. Other manufacturers, including “Shecare” and “Beishute,” have also publicly apologized in light of the controversy.
Chinese state media has supported consumer outrage, criticizing manufacturers for compromising product quality. An article by Xinhua emphasized that since sanitary pads are a daily necessity for women, the quality directly impacts user health and comfort and urged more stringent oversight of the products available in the market. This incident is particularly sensitive in a country where the sanitary pad market is valued at approximately $13 billion and has faced prior safety scandals, including a major fake sanitary pad operation in 2016 and a needle found in a 2021 product by brand “Space 7”.
The current uproar reflects deeper concerns among women in China regarding the adequacy and trustworthiness of products designed for their needs. A trending hashtag on Weibo encapsulates the feelings of frustration: “Is it that hard for sanitary pads to tackle women’s needs?” Another popular phrase gaining traction amid the controversy succinctly expresses the sentiment: “Sanitary pads yield a centimetre; women yield for a lifetime,” echoing broader grievances about the quality and reliability of female hygiene products.