Push to expose tampon contents
A campaign has been launched to make manufacturers list the contents of feminine hygiene products.
There is currently no requirement in Australia for manufacturers to detail what goes into their sanitary products.
A new campaign has been launched, called Not In My Knickers, which includes a petition with close to 15,000 signatures.
The legislative change would need to happen at a federal level, but a notice of motion has been put forth to the New South Wales parliament by NSW State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin.
“You just don't know how the power holders are going to react. I might have a passion for it but I can see some of the companies, some of the manufacturers, if it passes legislation, it's a cost to them,” Ms Stephens has told reporters.
“Initially I was concerned with how to frame this campaign to make it appealing to the broader community so people weren't thinking; ‘That's gross’.
“But it's a fact of our life, isn't it?
“It's about our health and I know everyone in the community would back it.”
President of the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Gino Pecoraro, says there is not even good data on how many women are adversely affected by the products.
“This is because if a woman had an adverse reaction to a particular product, she would most likely simply choose a different product next month,” Mr Pecoraro said.
“We are lucky that women in Australia have a large selection and choice of products, so they can change easily, and they would most often do that without necessarily going to see a doctor.”