Which tampons are safe, in 2025? 6 brands who’ve come out as lead and glyphosate-free
Lead and glyphosate are in our tampons – we’re raising hell about it
In May 2025, a study by Pesticide Action Network UK, Women’s Environmental Network and the Pesticide Collaboration revealed that tampons sold in the UK contained glyphosate levels 40 times higher than the legal limit for drinking water.
One big concern is, in a market notorious for its troubling tendency to green-washing, do ‘non-toxic’ tampons really stand up to scrutiny?
Glyphosate, a pesticide linked to cancer and other health issues, was found in tampons at 0.004 mg/kg, far exceeding the EU and UK limit of 0.0001 mg/kg for drinking water.
Other harmful substances, including lead, a toxic heavy metal associated with reproductive harm and neurological effects, have also been detected in some menstrual products. Together, these findings highlight that everyday menstrual products can expose users to multiple potentially harmful chemicals.
These discoveries are alarming – not least because the vaginal wall is highly absorbent, allowing chemicals to enter the bloodstream directly, bypassing the body’s natural detox pathways. Despite these risks, the UK currently has no specific chemical safety regulations for menstrual products.
Why glyphosate matters
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world and is often sprayed on cotton crops before harvest. Its presence in tampons is likely linked to non-organic cotton production. Once inside the body, glyphosate’s potential risks include endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, and cancer.
For a product designed to sit inside the body for hours at a time – often repeatedly over decades – this matters. A lot.
What about lead?
Lead is a toxic heavy metal with no safe level of exposure, and its detection in menstrual products raises serious concerns. Traces of lead can enter the body through contact with contaminated materials, including certain dyes, manufacturing residues, or packaging. Once absorbed, lead can accumulate over time, affecting the nervous system, hormone balance and reproductive health.
Even at very low levels, lead has been linked to fertility issues, pregnancy complications, and developmental effects in children, making its presence in intimate care products deeply alarming.
What tampons don’t have lead or glyphosate?
To reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, choose tampons that are:
- Made from 100% certified organic cotton (preferably GOTS-certified)
- Free from chlorine bleach, rayon, plastic, fragrance, dyes, and synthetics
- Tested and transparent about chemical safety
- Biodegradable and eco-conscious, where possible
Here are six brands available in the UK that meet these criteria – and have addressed the lead and glyphosate conversation head-on.
Natracare
Natracare’s tampons are made with 100% certified organic cotton, and they were one of the first brands to come forward with publicly available testing data following the glyphosate headlines. They’ve also confirmed that they’re lead-free, read their response to recent heavy metals study for more detail.
Check their Insta profile and you’ll see the following quote:
“Rest assured, Natracare is making recent testing data for its GOTS certified organic tampons publicly available to offer full transparency and reassurance to our customers. Analysis shows no detectable traces of pesticides such as glyphosate or other chemicals of concern.”
Natracare is also plastic-free, biodegradable, and has been a pioneer in the natural period care space since 1989.
TOTM
Sold in Boots, Tesco, and via their website, TOTM is a UK brand that has built its entire identity around clean, ethical period care. Read their recent statement on heavy metals, for specific concerns around lead.
Their tampons are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and are free from synthetic fibres, chlorine, dyes, fragrance, and pesticides. They came out this week on Insta emphasising,
“This is exactly why TOTM exists. We don’t compromise on your health. We use only 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton – no pesticides, no bleach, no synthetic fibres, no hidden chemicals. Just the comfort and safety you deserve.”
TOTM also donates 1% of online sales to Endometriosis UK and uses sustainable packaging across their range.
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Grace & Green
Grace & Green makes tampons with 100% certified organic cotton, using zero synthetic fibres, chemicals, or dyes and are lead-free. Their commitment to sustainability extends to water use and packaging, with carbon-conscious production and fully recyclable wrappers and boxes. On Insta they’ve said:
“Toxic pesticides in tampons aren’t just alarming, they’re unacceptable. This is why we say organic is better for you than the leading mainstream period brands.”
Their organic tampons are independently tested and GOTS-certified, offering a traceable, low-impact alternative.
Daye
Daye takes things up a notch when it comes to clinical standards. Their tampons are made from 100% organic cotton and sanitized using gamma ray sterilisation (a process often used in medical-grade manufacturing) to remove any possible contaminants. On their website they say,
“Our tampons are made from 100% organic cotton and are rigorously tested to ensure they are free from glyphosate and other harmful substances.”
Their production meets ISO 13485 and GMP standards, which is rare in the period care industry. Plus, they offer a subscription model and a CBD tampon option for cramp relief.
Read their science intel for all the specifics on contaminants, from lead to e.coli (yes, that’s a thing).
Here We Flo (FLO)
FLO is a B Corp and female-founded brand making waves for its cheeky branding and serious commitment to better period care. Their tampons are made with 100% organic cotton and come with sugarcane-based, plant-derived applicators that are 100% recyclable. On Insta they’ve said,
“This is exactly why Tara & Susan launched Here We Flo, to create period care that is better to our bodies and the planet. Our tampons only use 100% organic cotton, certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard and grown without the application of chemical pesticides and chemical herbicides (like glyphosates).”
FLO also donates 5% of profits to support people and communities with periods who need it most. For more on lead specifics, read their response to the recent heavy metals in tampons study.
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DAME
DAME is best known for its award-winning reusable tampon applicator, but their organic tampons deserve attention too. Made from GOTS-certified cotton and nothing else, they’re free from rayon, bleach, plastic, dyes, and fragrances. They say on their site,
“At DAME, we use 100% organic, pesticide-free cotton. No glyphosate. No bleach. No plastic. Our products are independently tested to the highest EU safety standards.”
DAME is also carbon negative and Climate Positive certified, making them one of the most sustainable choices out there. For more on lead specifically, read DAME’s response to the recent heavy metals study.
Take action – sign the petition
We shouldn’t have to worry about pesticide or lead exposure when we use a tampon. But right now, there’s a regulatory gap that allows unsafe chemicals to go unreported – and untested – in our most intimate products.
These brands are setting the standard for what non-toxic should look like in 2025: organic, transparent, and tested. The more we support them, the more we send a message to the mainstream market.
If you’d like to see stronger regulation and safety testing for all tampons and period products in the UK, you can support PAN UK’s petition here, calling for immediate government action.
Next on your reading list: Do tampons make cramps worse? We uncover the essentials to know, plus copy/paste this founder’s pregnancy-safe skincare routine.
