The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced investigations into concerns over the safety of disposable sanitary pads in Nigeria, including claims about potentially harmful chemicals in some menstrual products.
The agency said it had also launched a vigilance activity to assess the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in selected sanitary pads with valid NAFDAC marketing authorisation.
The development follows growing concerns on social media about the safety and chemical composition of menstrual products, with some consumers calling for greater transparency over the substances used in sanitary pads and the regulatory standards applicable to them.
NAFDAC said it was currently investigating a complaint involving a named sanitary pad after obtaining samples of the product for laboratory evaluation.
“A complaint received on a named sanitary pad is currently being investigated as the product has been sampled for laboratory evaluation for safety including microbial limit and skin irritation tests,” the agency said.
The concerns gained wider attention following claims about chemical substances allegedly detected in sanitary pads in studies conducted in 2024 by scientists from the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Air Force Institute of Technology.
A doctor, Aniekwe Donald, had questioned the regulatory response to the reported findings and called for greater transparency regarding the chemical composition and safety requirements for sanitary pads sold in Nigeria.
Some women have also shared reports on social media of itching, burning sensations, infections and perceived changes in menstrual flow after using certain brands. Others, however, said they had used the same products for years without experiencing adverse reactions.
Responding to the concerns, NAFDAC said disposable sanitary pads are classified as Class I medical devices and are subject to regulatory requirements covering product registration, laboratory evaluation, manufacturing processes and post-market surveillance.
The agency said its laboratory evaluation of disposable sanitary pads is conducted in line with Nigerian Industrial Standard, NIS 291, developed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.
NAFDAC also disputed claims that it does not test disposable sanitary pads, saying laboratory evaluation is carried out both on products submitted for regulatory approval and on samples obtained during post-market surveillance.
“The agency conducts laboratory evaluation of Disposable Sanitary Pad products submitted for regulatory approval and those sampled from post-market surveillance activities,” it said.
The agency said manufacturers are also required to comply with applicable quality-management requirements, while product labels are reviewed to ensure consumers receive information necessary for safe use.
According to NAFDAC, its regulatory oversight continues after products are registered, with consumer complaints and reports of adverse reactions subject to investigation and possible regulatory action.
On concerns about VOCs, the agency said it had begun assessing selected registered sanitary-pad products and was reviewing the regulatory approaches adopted by other countries, including South Korea, for monitoring and reducing VOCs in menstrual products.
NAFDAC said the assessment could inform additional regulatory measures, including VOC testing and monitoring, restrictions on substances considered to be of regulatory concern, disclosure of fragrances and other relevant constituents, as well as stronger post-market surveillance.
It stressed, however, that any new regulatory requirements would be based on scientific evidence, risk assessment and consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Pharmacist Ezekiel Daniel cautioned against concluding that a sanitary product was unsafe solely because some consumers reported adverse reactions, noting that individuals could have different sensitivities or allergies to particular products.
He also said the studies being discussed on social media did not, by themselves, establish that the products were harmful, and urged NAFDAC to publicly clarify the findings and their implications.
NAFDAC said its Greenbook contains numerous locally manufactured and imported sanitary pads with valid registrations, adding that registered products remain subject to regulatory monitoring throughout their life cycle.
The agency said it was reviewing emerging scientific evidence on menstrual products and would continue to strengthen its regulatory framework where necessary.
NAFDAC said its primary objective remained the protection of public health, assuring consumers that safety concerns involving menstrual health products would be assessed through scientific evidence, laboratory testing and regulatory investigation.
