Sanitary Napkins
- Posted by CERC India
- Posted in Pharmaceuticals
14 brands of sanitary napkins were tested, of which nine were from the cotton-based category and 5 from the gel category. None of the brands had volunteered for the IS mark as IS certifica tion is not mandatory for this product.
July-August 2003
KEY FINDINGS
- 14 brands of sanitary napkins were tested, of which nine were from the cotton-based category and 5 from the gel category. None of the brands had volunteered for the IS mark as IS certifica tion is not mandatory for this product.
- The brands tested included Carefree (Regular), Kotex Dri-Guard (Extra large), New Kotex (Regular), New Stayfree SilkyDry (Regular), Shapers Acti-slim (Ultra), Shapers Natural Feel, She Comfort, She Teens, Stayfree Secure (Regular), Stayfree Germi-Shield (Regular), Stayfree Ultra Thins, Whisper Heavy Flow & Overnights (Regular), Whisper Maxi and Whisper Ultra.
- The brands were tested as per the Indian Standard IS : 5405 – 1980.
- She Comfort, She Teens and Whisper Ultra did not conform to the parameters for absorbency and ability to withstand pressure as per the BIS.
- New Kotex Regular, Whisper Heavy Flow & Overnights (Regular), Kotex with Dri Guard (Ex tra Large) and She Teens showed wrinkles.
- Four samples of Kotex with Dri Guard (Extra Large) revealed dirt on the pad. One sample had an ant.
- Shapers Acti-slim (Ultra) did not give the method of use and disposal instructions were not given by Whisper Heavy Flow & Overnights (Regular). Shapers Natural Feel, Shapers Acti- slim (Ultra), She Comfort and She Teens did not mention the size on the packaging material.
- Among the cotton filler-based brands, Whisper Heavy Flow and Overnights topped the list. Among the Gel brands Stay Free Ultra Thins was the top scorer.
- In the Cotton-based category, though Whisper Heavy Flow & Overnights was the best scorer with 95 points, our ‘Best Buy’ in this category is Stayfree Secure. With a score of 91 points, the cost works out to Rs. 2.20 a napkin and Whisper Heavy Flow & Overnights would cost you Rs. 8.20 a napkin.
- In the Gel-based Category, Stayfree Ultra Thins is our ‘Best Buy’ with the highest score. It was also the most inexpensive one at a price of Rs. 5.63 a napkin.
