From pesticide residue data to chlorine-bleaching byproducts, this evidence-based explainer breaks down what the research actually shows about organic versus conventional cotton in pads and tampons — and what third-party certifications really verify.
"Fragrance-free" and "whitener-free" on a pad or tampon label sound straightforward — but FDA rules leave significant gaps. Here's what those claims actually cover, what they don't, and which third-party certifications fill the difference.