{
  "id": 7254839,
  "title": "Sanitary pad labelling found wanting: Consumer Council",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/sanitary-pad-labelling-found-wanting-consumer-council",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T05:21:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK English",
    "slug": "rthk-english",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1869936-20260914.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Consumer Council has criticized manufacturers of disposable sanitary pads for lacking sufficient quality control and transparency, potentially putting users at risk. After testing 36 different types of sanitary pads ranging in length from 22 to 43 centimetres, the watchdog discovered that over half of them failed to provide crucial information such as key ingredients and surface materials. This information is vital for those with sensitive skin to determine if using the product could result in an allergic reaction. Six of the tested pads did not even include a production date, let alone an expiry or shelf life period. According to the council's chief executive Alaina Shum, sanitary pads should not be stored for longer than three years, as prolonged storage can negatively impact absorption performance and increase the risk of bacterial growth due to moisture. Additionally, the council found significant variation in absorption speed among different brands. For example, pads measuring between 22 and 25 centimetres absorbed a simulated menstrual blood solution in seven seconds when made by Sofy and Kotex, but took 73 seconds for LadiM pads, which falls short of the mainland's one-minute requirement. The Consumer Council recommends that sanitary pad manufacturers conduct regular tests to ensure product quality and clearly label production, expiry, and shelf life dates to minimize potential health risks. Buyers are also advised to store pads in well-ventilated areas to prevent moisture absorption.",
  "summary": "Manufacturers of disposable sanitary pads have been urged to step up quality control and transparency to better protect users. The call from the Consumer Council on Monday came after it carried out tests covering 36 types of disposable winged sanitary pads that range between 22 centimetres and 43 centimetres in length. It found more than half of them lacked labelling on information such as key…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News",
        "title": "Sanitary pad labelling found wanting: Consumer Council",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/sanitary-pad-labelling-found-wanting-consumer-council-7255318",
        "published": "2026-09-14T05:21:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}