South Africa probes sanitary products suppliers after study flags health risks

South Africa probes sanitary products suppliers after study flags health risks South Africa’s consumer watchdog is investigating nine sanitary pad suppliers after an academic study flagged hormone-disrupting chemicals in some products By MICHELLE GUMEDE Associated Press March 2, 2026, 12:54 PM JOHANNESBURG -- JOHANNESBURG — South Africa's consumer regulatory authority is investigating nine sanitary pad suppliers after a local university study detected potentially harmful chemicals in some menstrual products they sell to women in the country. On Monday, the National Consumer Commission said its probe could take six months or more to complete. In the interim, suppliers are asked to submit their most recent test results, with results expected in a month. “The NCC is prioritizing this investigation,” spokesperson Phetho Ntaba told The Associated Press. The inquiry follows a study published by the University of the Free State last month that found at least two endocrine-disrupting chemicals , such as phthalates, bisphenols, and parabens, in 16 brands of sanitary pads and eight types of pantyliners popular in South African retail stores. Ntaba said the investigation is focused only on nine suppliers who distributed more than one product, including Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble , which sell menstrual products in North America, parts of Europe, Kenya, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Authorities have said the probe may lead to a major recall of the identified product batches. Among the brands under investigation are the JSE-listed Premier Group, which manufactures Lil-lets products, and Kimberly-Clark South Africa, the local division of the U.S.-based Kimberly-Clark Corp, which owns Kotex pads distributed in dozens of countries worldwide. Authorities will also look into Swedish multinational Essity Hygiene and Health AB, which sells the Libresse feminine hygiene products; Chinese manufacturer My Time; Here We Flo, and local manufacturers Anna Organics and The Lion Match Comp...