A growing scandal in Senegal has ignited public outrage after accusations surfaced that a major Chinese company, Softcare, had used expired materials in the production of sanitary pads and diapers. The controversy, which has drawn widespread attention and sparked protests, centers on claims that thousands of kilograms of unsuitable raw materials, including polyethylene film, were used in Softcare’s products. The Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP) had already initiated an investigation, but conflicting statements have only fueled public distrust and anger.
In December 2025, the Senegalese pharmaceutical regulators discovered approximately 1,300 kilograms (or about 2,865 pounds) of expired raw materials at Softcare’s factory in Senegal. Following an inspection of the factory, the regulators ordered the company to withdraw the affected goods from the market. The products in question had been flagged for their use of substandard materials. The ARP directed that Softcare’s manufacturing processes be corrected before the items could be allowed back on the market.
However, eight days after the initial warning, the director of the ARP reversed the decision, stating that documents from Softcare had assured that the expired materials were never used in production. Despite the reversal, the original inspectors maintained that their findings were accurate, a stance that resonated with the public. This conflicting statement only deepened suspicions and led to further public outcry, with social media posts circulating complaints about itching and irritation caused by the company’s sanitary pads.
Softcare, a subsidiary of the Chinese conglomerate Sunda International, has since denied the allegations, stating that the raw materials never entered the production line. The company further insisted that the batch of materials in question is still in a warehouse, awaiting destruction. Yet, the company’s denials have done little to ease the growing discontent among Senegalese citizens, particularly women, who are now questioning the safety and quality of the products they use.
As a result of the scandal, Senegal’s health ministry and the ARP were thrust into the spotlight. Opposition figures have accused the health minister of failing to address the issue in a timely manner. Guy Marius Sagna, an opposition MP, voiced his frustration during a rally in January, condemning the government’s silence. “Enough is enough!” he declared, accusing the authorities of complicity in the scandal. The rally, which gathered several dozen protesters, was a direct challenge to the government’s handling of the situation.
The controversy surrounding Softcare’s products has reverberated beyond Senegal, as similar complaints have emerged from neighboring countries in West and Central Africa. In Cameroon, the brand had previously been criticized in September 2025, when reports of itching and discomfort surfaced among consumers. Although Softcare’s Cameroonian subsidiary attributed the complaints to counterfeit products, the ongoing controversies have raised wider concerns over the safety of menstrual hygiene products sold across the African continent.
Experts have warned that the use of inappropriate materials in such sensitive products could lead to serious health consequences, including irritation, rashes, and infections. Diabel Drame, a leader of Senegal’s doctors’ union, emphasized the risks posed by these substandard products. “When manufactured with inappropriate materials, such products can cause irritation, itching, allergies, or even infections,” he said. Pharmacist Alima Niang, who has been vocal on social media about the issue, recounted numerous reports from women who experienced similar symptoms after using the sanitary pads.
The Softcare scandal has now drawn attention to the broader issue of menstrual product quality in Africa. In 2025, a survey of 9,500 people conducted by Nguvu Collective, a global women’s rights organization, revealed significant disparities in product quality across the continent. The study highlighted the lack of adherence to hygiene standards in several markets, further underscoring the need for better regulatory oversight.
The Senegalese government’s delayed response to the crisis has been met with increasing public pressure. The issue prompted a parliamentary fact-finding mission to investigate the decision to withdraw and later reinstate Softcare’s products. Souleymane Gueye, a member of the FRAPP citizen movement, accused the authorities of inaction, stating that the government was “dragging its feet” on the matter. Gueye vowed to intensify protests until the issue was resolved.
The health ministry’s announcement of a joint investigative mission in early January aimed to provide “precise” conclusions has done little to quell the mounting anger. Public confidence in the government’s handling of the situation continues to wane as the controversy stretches into its third month.
The scandal surrounding Softcare’s sanitary products reflects the broader challenges facing Africa in terms of product safety and regulatory enforcement.
