Senegal: Parliamentary inquiry rules out sale of expired Softcare products

In Senegal, the parliamentary fact-finding mission on the Softcare case released its findings on October 2, 2026, before deputies and members of the government. According to RFI, the parliamentarians stated that there is currently no evidence to prove that sanitary pads or diapers manufactured from unsuitable ingredients ended up in the country's distribution channels. This matter had been stirring public opinion since the discovery, in December 2025, of 1,300 kilograms of expired inputs within the factory.

The rapporteur of the parliamentary mission, deputy Boye Baby, acknowledged that the management of these expired stocks by the Chinese group's subsidiary raised genuine questions. However, the documents and physical evidence examined do not demonstrate an actual incorporation of these components into the final production chain. In the previous March, investigations conducted by the Ministry of Health had reached similar findings, ruling out any proven exposure for Senegalese users.

Present during the presentation, the Minister of Industry, Serigne Guèye Diop, advocated for supporting the company's operations following the sanctions and fines already imposed. Emphasizing the absolute priority given to public health, the government official recalled the imperatives of preserving jobs and strengthening the local industrial fabric. For the Senegalese executive, the conditions now seem to be met to close this controversial episode.

However, substantial reservations persist among elected officials and civil society regarding institutional failures. Deputy Rokhy Ndiaye warned that the crisis had seriously weakened citizens' trust in health regulatory authorities. The Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, which initially raised the alarm, had found itself suspected of mismanagement and irregularities, leading to the dismissal of its director general by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in March. For its part, the Noo Lank collective has demanded that the health protection of women and children take absolute precedence over economic imperatives.

Our perspective

The protection of public health and the control of sanitary standards constitute essential pillars of African sovereignty. While industrialization and the creation of local jobs remain necessary, they must never come at the expense of citizens' safety. The requirement for transparency and the rigor of state agencies are essential to building lasting trust between populations and their institutions.