In Conversation With Angel Khanyile, DA spokesperson on Women Youth & People with Disabilities
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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a written request to the Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Liezl van der Merwe, asking that sanitary products be included on the committee’s agenda for discussion on 20 March 2026.
The request also calls on the Chair of Chairs in Parliament, Cedric Frolick, to approve the inclusion of the matter so that the committee can formally engage on the issue.
The DA has further requested that the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, appear before the committee to provide a detailed explanation of the findings related to sanitary products, including the regulatory processes followed and the steps being taken to safeguard public health.
This follows remarks made by Motsoaledi during a recent media briefing, where he stated that sanitary products identified in a study conducted by the University of the Free State remain safe for human use. According to the Minister, while endocrine-disrupting chemicals were detected in some products, the levels identified were considered not harmful. He also noted that similar chemicals may be present in everyday consumer items such as toothpaste, household cleaning products, personal care items, and cosmetics.
However, researchers involved in the study reported that 16 sanitary product brands tested contained small amounts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. They recommended that the products undergo further testing to determine whether the concentrations exceed permissible safety thresholds. The study also cautioned that prolonged exposure to certain EDCs may present potential health risks, particularly for women and young girls.
The request also calls on the Chair of Chairs in Parliament, Cedric Frolick, to approve the inclusion of the matter so that the committee can formally engage on the issue.
The DA has further requested that the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, appear before the committee to provide a detailed explanation of the findings related to sanitary products, including the regulatory processes followed and the steps being taken to safeguard public health.
This follows remarks made by Motsoaledi during a recent media briefing, where he stated that sanitary products identified in a study conducted by the University of the Free State remain safe for human use. According to the Minister, while endocrine-disrupting chemicals were detected in some products, the levels identified were considered not harmful. He also noted that similar chemicals may be present in everyday consumer items such as toothpaste, household cleaning products, personal care items, and cosmetics.
However, researchers involved in the study reported that 16 sanitary product brands tested contained small amounts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. They recommended that the products undergo further testing to determine whether the concentrations exceed permissible safety thresholds. The study also cautioned that prolonged exposure to certain EDCs may present potential health risks, particularly for women and young girls.
