In brief
A wave of anger has erupted on Chinese social media as women confront sanitary pad manufacturers over discrepancies between advertised and actual product lengths, leading to widespread condemnations and promises of improved quality from major brands.
In China, a significant controversy has erupted over the lengths of sanitary pads, leading to public outrage and apologies from major manufacturers. The issue began when viral videos on social media showcased women measuring popular sanitary pads, revealing that most fell short of their advertised lengths. This sparked a wave of criticism on platforms like Xiaohongshu, where users expressed their outrage and labeled the manufacturers as deceitful.On November 3, a user posted a video demonstrating that nine different brands of sanitary pads were all shorter than what was claimed on their packaging. "Will cutting a few centimeters help you strike it rich?" she provocatively asked in her video, quickly gathering support and further criticism of the brands’ misleading practices. In an investigation conducted by the Chinese news outlet The Paper, nearly 90% of the 20 brands examined were found to be at least 10mm shorter than the advertised lengths, with many featuring absorbent layers even shorter than the listed dimensions. While national standards allow for a 4% deviation from claimed sizes, the regulations do not address the length of absorbent layers in these products. The backlash reached authorities, who announced plans to revise national standards regarding sanitary pads amidst the uproar. Notably, the well-known brand ABC faced additional criticism when its customer service told an unhappy consumer to simply purchase another brand if they were dissatisfied. In light of this, ABC later apologized for the "inappropriate" response and committed to ensuring "zero deviation" in product lengths. Other brands like Shecare and Beishute have also issued their apologies in an attempt to regain the trust of consumers.Chinese state media has joined the critique of manufacturers, emphasizing the importance of quality in feminine hygiene products for women's health and comfort. The sanitary pad market in China is valued at approximately $13 billion, yet it has been plagued by safety concerns, ranging from a 2016 crackdown on counterfeit products to previous incidents of contamination.This latest scandal reflects ongoing grievances among women regarding the quality of products specifically designed for them. A hashtag circulating on Weibo, “Is it that hard for sanitary pads to tackle women’s needs?” underscores the frustration felt by many women regarding the industry's lack of attention to their needs. Another viral phrase that expresses the outrage states, “Sanitary pads yield a centimeter; women yield for a lifetime.” As the controversy unfolds, it highlights broader issues surrounding women's health products and the integrity of manufacturers in addressing consumer concerns.
