Activists in South Africa have raised concerns regarding the transparency of the country's regulation of menstrual products, despite reassurances from the government that these products are safe for public use. The issue gained attention following a study from the University of the Free State (UFS) that discovered endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates and bisphenols in sanitary products. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi's response to the study emphasized that the detection of these chemicals does not equate to evidence of harm, a viewpoint that has sparked considerable debate among health advocates and the public.