The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Kotex issues international tampon recall after products unravel inside women
The tampons have a 'quality-related defect'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kotex has issued a voluntary recall of a particular type of tampons sold in the US and Canada after they began to unravel inside people.
Kimberly-Clark, the makers of Kotex, announced the recall in a press release Tuesday, in which it said regular absorbency U by Kotex Sleek Tampons have a “quality-related defect.”
According to the company’s statement, the recall comes after customers noticed the tampons “unravelling and/or coming apart upon removal, and in some cases causing users to seek medical attention to remove tampon pieces left in the body.”
The company also said there has been a “small number” of reports of infections, vaginal irritation and injury associated with the product.
The recall is currently limited to tampons manufactured between October 7 2016 and October 16 2018 and distributed between October 17 2016 and October 23 2018, with stores urged to remove the faulty products from shelves.
To identify whether a package is impacted, customers can look for specific lot numbers on the bottom of the box, which can be found here.
Currently, no other product by Kotex is subjected to a recall, according to the company, which urged any users who experience “vaginal injury, vaginal irritation, urogenital infections, or other symptoms such as hot flashes, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting following the use of the product” to “seek immediate medical attention.”
According to Jennifer Wider, MD, the issue has the potential to be harmful - as she told Yahoo: “pieces left behind can cause irritation, inflammation, swelling and infection” and “women can also injure themselves trying to get it out.”
“It’s not a good situation,” she said.
Kimberly-Clark previously issued a recall for its Natural Balance unscented tampons after bacteria capable of causing urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and potentially life-threatening vaginal infections was found in the applicators.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments