Representative image of sanitary pads. | iStock Photo
A controversy has erupted in Senegal’s health and consumer markets after the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP) raised alarms that thousands of kilograms of expired raw materials were found at the local factory of Softcare, a Chinese-owned manufacturer of sanitary pads and baby diapers, prompting withdrawal orders and mounting public outcry.
The agency’s inspection in December 2025 uncovered about 1,300 kg (2,865 lbs) of expired and potentially unsuitable materials, including polyethylene film a key component in feminine hygiene products which it said could have been intended for use in products sold locally. The regulator ordered the firm to remove affected goods from the market until its processes were brought into full compliance with safety standards.
However, days later the regulator’s director reversed the initial action, claiming that company documents showed expired materials were not actually incorporated into the manufacturing process. That reversal has done little to quell public mistrust, with inspectors standing by their original findings and many consumers saying reports of adverse reactions circulated widely on social media.
Reports from local health professionals and consumer advocates suggest that menstrual products are among the most sensitive items for women’s health and using substandard or expired materials could lead to irritation, itching, allergic reactions or even infection, according to Senegalese doctors’ union leader Diabel Drame.
Pharmacist Alima Niang, active on social media, shared consumer accounts that some women experienced discomfort after using Softcare pads and stopped using them. In one example cited online, a user said that itching occurred after trying the product twice, a complaint echoed by others who commented on posts discussing the issue.
The scandal has also touched on issues of governance and transparency. Opposition lawmaker Guy Marius Sagna accused Senegal’s health minister of slackness in responding to the controversy and criticised authorities for weeks of silence before addressing public concern. Protesters have gathered near the Health Ministry in Dakar demanding accountability and clarity around the products sold under Softcare’s brand.
In addition, an inspector involved in the factory review, Moussa Diallo, claimed on social media that Softcare representatives attempted to influence the regulatory process with bribery offers, allegations the company denied as “unfounded,” “defamatory” and “slanderous”.
Softcare, a subsidiary of the Chinese group Sunda International, which operates in more than 30 countries including several in Africa, has rejected claims that expired substances entered production and insists the materials identified remain in storage awaiting destruction. The company said the controversy has impacted local operations, reducing production capacity due to diminished consumer trust.
Senegal’s Health Ministry announced a joint investigative mission in January aimed at providing a definitive report. In mid-January, a parliamentary fact-finding mission also commenced hearings into both the original withdrawal order and its quick reversal, as lawmakers seek to determine regulatory oversight and product safety compliance.
The Softcare controversy has resonated beyond Senegal’s borders. Similar criticisms surfaced in Cameroon last year, where consumers reported irritation and burning sensations linked to the brand’s products — claims denounced by local subsidiaries as counterfeit or misattributed. The case underscores ongoing concerns about quality assurance and regulatory oversight in Africa’s menstrual hygiene market, where access to safe and reliable products is a persistent challenge for many women and girls.
