Overview
- the National Consumer Commission said the investigation could take six months or more, with suppliers required to submit recent test results within about a month and targeted recalls possible depending on the findings.
- the probe focuses on nine suppliers that distribute multiple products, including Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Premier Group (Lil-lets), Kimberly-Clark South Africa (Kotex), Essity (Libresse), My Time, Here We Flo, Anna Organics and The Lion Match Company (Comfitex).
- the University of the Free State’s peer-reviewed laboratory study reported trace endocrine-disrupting chemicals in sampled products, detecting bisphenols in all pads tested, parabens in over 81% of pads and phthalates in all pantyliners and half of pads.
- UFS clarified the research was an in vitro detection study that does not establish causation, did not involve human testing and did not recommend product withdrawals or allege wrongdoing by manufacturers.
- the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities engaged UFS and welcomed regulatory review, while leading obstetrics and gynaecology societies urged calm, found no evidence of immediate harm and called for further testing and transparency.