In brief
A social media uproar has erupted in China after women exposed that popular sanitary pads are frequently shorter than advertised, prompting apologies from major manufacturers and calls for stricter quality controls.
Chinese sanitary pad manufacturers are facing significant backlash after reports surfaced that many products are shorter than indicated on their packaging. This issue gained traction on Chinese social media, where videos of women measuring the lengths of various brands went viral, highlighting widespread discrepancies. The uproar began on November 3, when a user on the social media platform Xiaohongshu reported that nine brands of sanitary pads all measured shorter than what was promised. Her video asked, "Will cutting a few centimeters help you strike it rich?" This questioning tone quickly resonated with many consumers, leading to a torrent of criticism towards manufacturers for what they deemed deceitful practices.An investigation by Chinese news outlet The Paper corroborated these claims, revealing that nearly 90% of the examined pads were at least 10mm shorter than advertised. The report further noted that many pads had absorbent layers that were even shorter, raising additional quality concerns. Although national standards allow for a 4% margin of error in product length, they do not specify absorbent layer measurements, leaving a loophole for manufacturers.Consumer reactions intensified after the popular brand ABC fanned the flames of outrage with a dismissive response to customer complaints, stating, “if you cannot accept [the length difference], then you can choose not to buy it.” Following extensive vitriol, ABC issued an apology and vowed to strive for "zero deviation" from specified measurements. Other brands, including Shecare and Beishute, have joined in issuing public apologies as well.Chinese state media has also criticized these manufacturers, highlighting that the quality of sanitary pads is essential for women's health and comfort. An article by Xinhua emphasized that the issues cannot be overlooked, especially given the sanitary products' significant market value of about $13 billion in China.The scandal is compounded by historical safety issues related to women's hygiene products in China. In 2016, authorities uncovered a massive counterfeit sanitary towel operation, and in 2021, a popular brand was forced to apologize after a woman discovered a needle in a pad.The current outrage reflects a deeper dissatisfaction among women regarding product quality, as expressed in trending online discussions. One popular Weibo hashtag painfully articulates this sentiment: "Sanitary pads yield a centimeter; women yield for a lifetime." Such expressions illustrate the persistent frustration with products designed for women and highlight ongoing issues within the industry.
