Natracare Organic Super Plus Tampons, 3 x 20 ct
Lower concern. Organic cotton, no waterproofing treatment reported.
Natracare explicitly claims PFAS-free status and holds MADE SAFE certification. Organic cotton base and cardboard applicator indicate no Teflon-family coating coatings.
Brand says: “Natracare products are free from PFAS and other harmful chemicals. Third-party tested.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
organic cotton, cardboard applicator
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Natracare Organic Super Tampons, is made of, ingredients and materials
Natracare Super Plus tampons are constructed from certified organic cotton, which means the raw fiber is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. The cardboard applicator replaces plastic, eliminating concerns about BPA and phthalates leaching from applicator material. Organic cotton still undergoes bleaching and processing, but the absence of synthetic chemical residues on the fiber itself reduces exposure to agricultural chemical carryover compared to conventional cotton tampons.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Dioxins from bleaching
Even organic cotton tampons undergo bleaching. Modern elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) processes are much safer than legacy chlorine bleaching, but no independent verification of Natracare's specific bleaching method is publicly available. Residual dioxin levels in modern tampons are extremely low and not considered a clinical concern by health authorities.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
A third party reports verifying this product as PFAS-free.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cardboard applicators may contain trace formaldehyde from adhesives or sizing agents. No documented formaldehyde release or contamination has been reported for Natracare applicators. Given the brief contact time and the external use pattern, even if present, absorption risk is negligible.
Source, ATSDR ↗Pesticide residue
Organic certification eliminates synthetic pesticide use during growth. No pesticide residue testing results are publicly disclosed, but the organic standard itself is designed to prevent this hazard at the agricultural stage.
Source, EPA ↗Fragrance or additive sensitization
Natracare does not market fragranced tampons and avoids dyes and perfumes in the Super Plus line. The plain cotton base minimizes allergen triggers common in conventional scented or dyed products.
Talc contamination
Tampons do not typically use talc as an ingredient or processing aid. This hazard is not applicable to this product category.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Natracare is a pioneer in organic menstrual products with a documented commitment to transparency; the brand explicitly markets its PFAS-free status and publishes sustainability information. The company has maintained consistency on this positioning for over two decades and carries organic certifications (GOTS and similar standards). No significant recalls or chemical contamination incidents are on public record for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Among tampon brands, Natracare occupies the higher-transparency, lower-chemical-load segment. Conventional tampons often use bleached non-organic cotton, plastic applicators, and synthetic polymer rayon blends; many also contain dioxin residues from legacy chlorine bleaching (now largely phased out but still relevant for older stock). Natracare's organic + cardboard approach sits in the cautious-use category, competing with brands like Seventh Generation and Cora.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture uptake into the cardboard applicator, which can weaken it. Cardboard applicators are less durable than plastic and may shed fibers; inspect before use if stored in humid bathrooms. The organic cotton absorbency is standard; change every 4-8 hours regardless of absorbency level to reduce TSS risk, as with all tampons. Disposal is simpler, cardboard and cotton are compostable in industrial settings, though home composting is not recommended due to hygiene concerns.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 85% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Natracare has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More tampons grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.