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 products
The agency said it had also initiated a vigilance activity to assess the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in selected sanitary pads with NAFDAC marketing authorisation.
“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,” it said.
The move follows growing concerns on social media over the safety of sanitary products, sparked by claims about chemical substances allegedly detected in sanitary pads following studies conducted in 2024 by scientists from the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Air Force Institute of Technology.
A doctor, Aniekwe Donald, had questioned what regulatory authorities had done about the reported findings and called for greater transparency on the chemical composition and safety requirements for sanitary pads sold in Nigeria.
Some women on social media have also reported itching, burning sensations, infections and perceived changes in menstrual flow after using particular brands, although others said they had used the same products for years without experiencing adverse reactions.
Responding to the concerns, NAFDAC said sanitary pads are classified as Class I medical devices and are subject to regulatory requirements covering their registration, laboratory evaluation, manufacturing processes and post-market surveillance.
The agency said it uses the applicable Nigerian Industrial Standard, NIS 291, developed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, in the laboratory evaluation of disposable sanitary pads.
It also said manufacturers are required to meet applicable quality-management requirements, while product labelling is reviewed to ensure that information provided to consumers supports safe use.
According to NAFDAC, its oversight does not end when a product is registered, as complaints and reports of adverse reactions remain subject to investigation and possible regulatory action.
The agency said it was currently investigating a complaint involving a named sanitary pad after sampling the product for laboratory evaluation, including microbial limit and skin irritation tests.
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