In a wave of consumer dissatisfaction, prominent sanitary pad manufacturers in China are issuing public apologies after being accused of providing products that are shorter than what is stated on their packaging. This controversy escalated when social media users began posting videos demonstrating that well-known brands like ABC, Shecare, and Beishute fell short of the promised measurements.
The discussion ignited on November 3, when a user on Xiaohongshu used a measuring tape to evaluate various sanitary pad brands and discovered that they all failed to meet advertised standards. One viral video questioned, "Will cutting a few centimetres help you strike it rich?" provoking outrage among consumers who felt deceived by these brands.
An investigation by The Paper, a Chinese news outlet, revealed that about 90% of sanitary pads tested measured at least 10mm shorter than claimed. An alarming detail included the truncated absorbent layers intended to manage menstrual flow, posing a potential health risk. Although national standards permit some deviation in pad length (up to 4%), they do not address the absorbent layers, which has sparked demands for clearer regulations.
As the scandal unfolded, customer service responses from companies, particularly ABC’s remark insinuating that unhappy customers should simply refrain from purchasing the products, fueled further indignation. Following this misstep, ABC issued a formal apology and pledged to rectify the situation, aiming for "zero deviation" in future products. Competitors such as Shecare and Beishute have also made similar reconciliatory efforts.
State media outlets are taking note of the situation, with Xinhua warning manufacturers about the importance of product quality, stating that the integrity of sanitary pads is vital to women's health and comfort. The feminine hygiene market in China is substantial, valued at approximately $13 billion, yet it has also been marred by safety concerns in recent years. Past scandals included a massive fake product operation in 2016, and incidents involving foreign objects in pads have not gone unnoticed.
The controversy reflects wider issues of trust and quality in products aimed at women. The trending hashtag on Weibo, "Is it that hard for sanitary pads to tackle women’s needs?" highlights consumer dissatisfaction and demand for better accountability. Amid the chaos, another saying that has emerged resonates deeply with many: "Sanitary pads yield a centimetre; women yield for a lifetime."
