The Nation - News from June 21, 1989

The Food and Drug Administration issued a revised proposal in its eight-year effort to standardize tampon labeling and help women minimize the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Tampon makers could continue to use their traditional absorbency terms on packages under the proposal, but they also would have to prominently display one of six new standardized terms ranging from low to highest. The labeling is designed to help women select the lowest absorbency tampon they need to reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome, a rare but sometimes fatal condition associated with tampon use. The FDA also calls for inserts that list toxic shock syndrome’s symptoms: sudden fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting or nearly fainting when standing up, dizziness and a sunburn-like rash.