Former EXO member Huang Zitao, known as Tao, has announced bold plans to enter the feminine hygiene market following public outrage in China over the resale of recycled sanitary products.
According to a report by Goody26 on April 6, Tao publicly addressed the sanitary pad scandal that has shocked consumers across China. His response came in the wake of the explosive “3.15 Gala” report in a special broadcast — titled “Consumer Rights Protection” by China Central Television (CCTV), which aired on March 15 as part of its annual consumer rights awareness campaign.
Shocking Revelation: Recycled Sanitary Pads and Diapers
The CCTV broadcast revealed that a waste recycling company was collecting, repackaging, and reselling used sanitary pads and diapers. The program showed disturbing footage of discarded products strewn across dirty floors, being sorted from trash piles and repackaged for online sale. The company reportedly made nearly 30 times profit by selling these recycled goods.
The revelation triggered nationwide outrage, especially due to the severe health implications associated with unsanitary hygiene products.
In a livestream on April 6, Tao condemned the scandal, saying, “It’s unacceptable that companies sacrifice women’s health for profit.”
He then announced plans to build his own sanitary pad factory, one that will feature a 24/7 livestream of the production line to ensure full transparency. Tao pledged that every step, from raw material sourcing to final packaging, will be subject to public oversight. He shared, “I started contacting sanitary pad suppliers months ago…”
Mixed Reactions and Clarifications
The announcement sparked divided reactions online. Supporters praised Tao’s initiative, urging him to “make safe and trustworthy products” in a market plagued by quality concerns. However, some critics accused him of capitalizing on a scandal to launch a business.
To address skepticism, Tao explained that this wasn’t a knee-jerk response. He said he had begun discussing the venture with suppliers months ago. Moreover, he revealed that his wife and business partner, Xu Yiyang, and other female team members had tested the product over a 90-day period.
Tao added, “I can’t guarantee the product will be flawless, but I can absolutely ensure that what we produce will be clean and safe.”
A Push for Industry Reform?
Tao’s move has sparked discussions about the need for transparency in the hygiene industry. Many netizens hope that his factory, if successful, will set a new standard and pressure existing brands to improve manufacturing practices.
On the evening of April 9, Tao provided an update on the production progress of his own brand of sanitary pads during a livestream. He stated that the sales rate of the sanitary pads produced by his factory has far surpassed many other brands.
He also announced that 50,000 trial sanitary pads will be released for just 1 cent at 8 PM (local time) on April 11, allowing people to experience the product firsthand. He expressed hope that users would provide honest feedback after trying the samples. Tao emphasized that producing high-quality sanitary pads is both a gamble with his own reputation and a great responsibility that he takes seriously.
Tao’s entry into the feminine hygiene space is both bold and unprecedented for a K-pop idol. Whether this initiative is a turning point for the industry or a controversial business move remains to be seen. But with the promise of real-time transparency and direct consumer engagement, all eyes are now on Tao’s factory, and whether it will live up to its ambitious goals.