Chinese companies apologise for 'shrunken' sanitary pads

Recently, a significant wave of anger has emerged on Chinese social media regarding the actual length of sanitary pads sold by major manufacturers. These companies have issued apologies after being accused of selling pads that are shorter than what is advertised on their packaging. The uproar began when viral videos surfaced, showing women measuring the lengths of various sanitary pads from well-known brands, revealing that most of them did not meet the stated measurements. This situation has sparked broader concerns about the quality and safety of feminine hygiene products in China, which have faced scrutiny in the past. Women across the country have taken it upon themselves to highlight these quality issues, particularly with sanitary pads, which are the most commonly used feminine hygiene products in China. One of the first videos, shared on November 3, featured a user on the social media platform Xiaohongshu who measured nine different brands of sanitary pads with a tape measure, demonstrating that all of them were shorter than what was claimed on their packaging. In her video, she provocatively asked, 'Will cutting a few centimeters help you strike it rich? ' This revelation quickly ignited widespread criticism, with consumers accusing manufacturers of being dishonest. One popular post on Weibo compared the misleading pad lengths to insoles used by men to make their feet appear larger. Following this uproar, an investigation conducted by the news outlet The Paper examined over 20 different sanitary pad brands and found that nearly 90% of the products were indeed 'shrunken,' measuring at least 10mm shorter than what was advertised. Many of these pads also contained absorbent layers that were even shorter than the stated lengths. The Paper reported that while national standards for sanitary pads allow for a 4% variation in length, they do not specify the length of the absorbent layer, which is crucial for effective use. In response to the flood of complaints, authorities announced plans to revise the national standards for sanitary pads, as reported by local media. The popular brand ABC faced further backlash after its customer service allegedly responded to a complaint about the length discrepancy by stating, 'If you cannot accept the length difference, then you can choose not to buy it. ' This response only fueled the outrage, prompting ABC to issue a statement in mid-November expressing their 'deepest apologies' for the 'inappropriate' reply and pledging to improve their products to achieve 'zero deviation' from advertised lengths. Other companies, including Shecare and Beishute, have also issued apologies in light of the controversy. Chinese state media has weighed in on the issue, criticizing manufacturers for compromising quality. An article from Xinhua emphasized that 'as a daily necessity for women, the quality of sanitary pads is directly related to the health and comfort of the user,' and noted that the problems with some products on the market cannot be overlooked. Sanitary pads are essential for women in China, where the market is valued at approximately $13 billion. However, these products have a history of safety issues. In 2016, authorities uncovered a large-scale operation in southeast China that produced fake sanitary pads in unsanitary conditions, packaging them as popular brands. In 2021, the feminine hygiene brand Space 7 faced backlash after a woman reported finding a needle in one of their pads. The current wave of anger reflects broader frustrations among women regarding the quality of products designed for their needs. A trending hashtag on Weibo asked, 'Is it that hard for sanitary pads to address women’s needs? ' Another phrase that gained traction during this controversy encapsulated the outrage: 'Sanitary pads yield a centimeter; women yield for a lifetime.