In June 2026, concerns over the possible presence of formamide in baby diapers quickly spread across Chinese social media. Huggies was among the brands drawn into the discussion, prompting a government inquiry. The company said its own testing found no trace of the substance in its products.
The story did not end there.
Kimberly-Clark later said the allegations involving Huggies were false and that testing by an independent, government-certified laboratory supported the safety of its products. Even so, the controversy affected diaper sales in China and had an estimated 50-basis-point negative impact on Kimberly-Clark's second-quarter organic sales growth.
Passing a Test Is Only Part of the Job
For diaper companies, there is a useful lesson here.
Parents cannot easily judge adhesives, nonwoven fabrics, absorbent polymers or other materials by looking at a finished diaper. They depend heavily on the brand-and ultimately the manufacturer behind it-to know what goes into the product.
That means quality control is no longer only about absorbency, leakage or production consistency. Clear material records, supplier documentation and credible testing are becoming just as important.
Once questions about product safety begin circulating online, responding with vague claims such as "safe" or "high quality" may not be enough. Buyers and consumers increasingly expect evidence.
What This Means for Private-Label Brands
This is particularly relevant to companies developing their own diaper brands through OEM or ODM manufacturing.
Before choosing a supplier, it makes sense to ask how raw materials are controlled, how production batches are inspected and what documentation can be provided if a retailer or regulator raises a question.
At Lechen, our manufacturing business includes automated production, quality inspection and testing processes, while OEM/ODM customers can customize materials, product structure, sizes and packaging for their target markets.
The value of those systems is not simply producing a better-looking diaper. They also give brands a clearer record of what they are selling and how it was made.
Transparency Is Becoming Part of Product Quality
The Huggies case does not mean consumers should assume a diaper is unsafe whenever a concern appears online.
It does show how quickly product questions can become brand questions.
For manufacturers and private-label brands, the industry is gradually moving toward a broader definition of quality: good performance, consistent manufacturing, traceable materials and information that can stand up to scrutiny.
That may ultimately matter just as much as another absorbency claim on the package.