Tao Addresses Controversy Over His Sanitary Pad Brand

Former EXO member Tao (Huang Zitao) has responded to the controversy surrounding his newly launched sanitary pad brand, which faced scrutiny over the presence of foreign substances. On June 17, Tao took to Chinese social media platform Weibo to clarify that the black spots in question were a result of the non-woven fabric production process, where fibers were charred by heat, and assured that they are not harmful to human health. He further explained that while the standard management criterion is 0.5mm, his company applies a stricter quality control measure of 0.3mm.

The issue arose when some consumers reported finding small black dots on the sanitary pads, prompting immediate action from Tao's team. He stated, "If any customers feel discomfort with the product, we will exchange it for a new one through our customer service center," emphasizing his belief that transparency equates to quality. To reinforce this commitment, he promised to make the factory's internal processes fully accessible online, even sharing certification photos from the factory.

Tao's venture into the sanitary pad business was inspired by a report from an investigative program earlier this year, which revealed that defective sanitary pads were being resold. Outraged, he declared, "It's truly disgusting. I cannot accept companies sacrificing women's health for profit," and announced plans to establish a sanitary pad factory that would broadcast its production process live 24/7, ensuring public oversight from raw material procurement to packaging.

In subsequent live broadcasts on his social media, Tao conducted tests comparing his brand's products with those of other brands and even showcased CCTV footage from the factory, drawing significant attention.

Thanks to his enthusiastic promotion, the brand garnered considerable interest right from its launch. During a live broadcast last month, approximately 450,000 boxes were sold in just 30 minutes, generating around 3.5 billion KRW in revenue.

Since leaving EXO in 2015, Tao has continued his solo career in China and has gained recognition as a businessman after inheriting his father's estate in 2020. He also announced his marriage to Chinese singer and actress Xu Yi Yang in December of last year.