Through the hashtag #MyAlwaysExperience on twitter, Always sanitary pads consumers aired out their grievances about the products’ quality, manufactured by Proctor and Gamble (P&G).
A lot of the consumers, mostly Kenyan women, complained that the sanitary towels were causing discomfort, including rashes, burning and irritation. One consumer went ahead to consumer highlighted what the manufacturer needs to incorporate in the sanitary towels more user-friendly.
“From #MyAlwaysExperience, women are saying make pads for humid weather, stop scenting pads, stop using a plastic lining it causes rashes, infection and burns the skin, make pads breathable, improve absorbency”, read a tweet from Scheaffer Okore
In their plight, the consumers underlined that the sanitary towels sold locally were substandard compared to those sold in Europe and America.
“That stay dry cover is the worst! The chaffing, the itching, the burning and subsequent yeast infection are too high a price to pay! The cotton soft cover which has finally made it into the Kenyan market is tolerable and less itchy #MyAlwaysExperience,” posted Achieng Akena on Twitter.
But the manufacturer refuted the claims saying, “The always pads we have in Kenya are similar to the Always pads in other parts of the world including Germany, US, South Africa. All our pads including the ones in Kenya are designed and developed in Europe and US.”
Following the social media outcry through #MyAlwaysExperience, Kenya Bureau of Standards has launched an investigation which will entail extensive market surveillance and testing of more random samples.
“Following the concerns expressed on social media, KEBS has launched investigations that include extensive market surveillance and testing of these products to ascertain if there exists any breach of quality standards. The outcomes of analysis will determine the next course of action, including market withdrawal of any substandard products,” said KEBS in a statement Thursday.
The manufacturer insisted that its diverse product portfolio has catered for a number of women who have varied and unique menstrual experiences.