New York to be 1st to require disclosure of tampon materials
KIEV, UKRAINE - 2019/02/09: Tampax Pads seen in store. Tampax is a brand of tampon currently owned by Procter & Gamble and sold in over 100 countries. (Photo by Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York will become the first state to require the disclosure of ingredients in tampons and other menstrual products.
The law was signed Friday by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who said menstrual products could contain toxic or allergy-causing chemicals unknown to consumers.
The law takes effect in 180 days. Manufacturers of menstrual products, including pads and tampons, will then have 18 months to develop new packaging or labels.
Assembly member Linda Rosenthal says consumers currently aren't informed of changes in materials, including how much cotton is used compared to synthetic materials.
The New York City Democrat noted that women may use the same menstrual products for decades without knowing the exact materials used in them.
Companies including Always have published ingredients online in recent years and say they're safe.