Read the full article by Lucia Auerbach (NewsGuard)
“A new lawsuit from hundreds of Californians alleges that the makers behind Carefree feminine care products knowingly made its panty liners with PFOA, a man-made PFAS.
California residents are now suing the product makers Edgewell, Essity, and Johnson & Johnson for allegedly manufacturing and distributing the Carefree-brand panty liners. The documents were filed on October 9 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
PFAS are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because they resist water, stains, and heat, and do not naturally break down.
California banned PFAS in menstrual products in 2025
The plaintiffs claim the companies violated a California state law that went into effect January 1, 2025, that bans the sale and distribution of menstrual products containing intentionally added PFAS. They are also suing the grocery chain Gelson’s Markets for stocking and selling the products.”…