CPA assures consumers of safety of registered sanitary towels on the Ghanaian market after complaints

The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has put the minds of women and mothers at ease regarding the safety of registered sanitary towels sold in Ghana. The agency confirmed that these products have been approved by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and standardized by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). Recent tests demonstrated that these products are in good condition and suitable for use, following complaints from consumers about discomfort, itching, and boils.

In response to these concerns, the CPA conducted a retest of all registered sanitary towel products available on the market. According to Benjamin Akoto, the CPA's Head of Complaints, the agency found that the discomfort, itching, and boils could be linked to handling and usage rather than the product itself. The agency identified three factors that could contribute to these issues.

Firstly, poor hand hygiene, as some users did not wash their hands properly or use hand sanitizer before using or changing their sanitary towels. This could lead to contamination of the towels and the genital area, posing a risk of infection. Secondly, users often failed to change their sanitary towels at the recommended intervals of every two to four hours during the day.

Lastly, improper clothing and heat build-up might contribute to the reported problems. Some users wore two pairs of underwear before putting on their regular clothing after applying a sanitary towel, resulting in heat and humidity that could trigger heat rashes and irritation around the genital area, leading to further complications.

The CPA acknowledged gaps in the safe use of sanitary towels and plans to launch a nationwide awareness campaign to educate women and girls on proper handling and usage. The agency emphasized that while they were committed to providing satisfactory products, users also played a role in achieving the best results by following manufacturers' instructions. The statement was signed by Benjamin Akoto, the Head of Complaints at the Consumer Protection Agency.