Aunt Flow · Tampons
Flo Organic Tampons
Lower PFAS concern; typical tampon materials don't require waterproofing or stain treatment, but brand silence on sourcing is a missed transparency opportunity.
Flo Organic Tampons use conventional absorbent materials (rayon, cotton) that don't inherently require PFAS-based coatings for function. No public evidence of Teflon-family coating treatments, water-resistance claims, or grease-guard additives typical of PFAS-risk products.
Shop Aunt Flow on Amazon →Material
rayon/viscose, organic cotton, cardboard applicator
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Flo Organic Tampons combine rayon (viscose), organic cotton, and a cardboard applicator. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber made by dissolving wood pulp in alkaline solution; while the production process involves caustic chemicals, the finished fiber itself is chemically inert once processed. Organic cotton avoids synthetic pesticide residue. The cardboard applicator eliminates plastic microplastic risk and Teflon-type coating off-gassing concerns tied to plastic applicators. No bleach or dye hazards are publicly documented for this product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Aunt Flow markets Flo as certified organic and eco-conscious but has not published independent safety testing results, material sourcing transparency reports, or third-party certifications (e.g., Cradle to Cradle, NSF) on their website. The brand does not publicly disclose whether rayon is made via closed-loop (Lyocell) or conventional viscose processes, which affects water pollutant exposure during manufacturing. No product recalls or safety controversies are on record. Brand silence on PFAS testing is a transparency gap typical of the tampon category, where PFAS use is generally unnecessary but disclosure remains rare.
How it compares in its category
Flo sits in the upper-middle of the tampon safety tier: organic fiber choice and cardboard applicator are above-average, while lack of third-party testing or closed-loop process certification keeps it from premium tier (e.g., Seventh Generation, Cora). Most conventional tampons use non-organic rayon and plastic applicators; Flo avoids both. The cardboard applicator is a material safety advantage over plastic, though applicator material is a minor hazard vector compared to the tampon fiber itself.
If you buy it
Tampons are used internally and do not experience heat or moisture conditions that would trigger leaching from cardboard or rayon. No special storage precautions are needed beyond keeping them in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and mold. If you have latex or fragrance sensitivities, confirm the product is unscented and latex-free on the package or contact the brand. Consider rotation with other certified-organic or non-toxic brands if long-term exposure concern is high; current evidence does not flag Flo as requiring avoidance.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Dioxins and chlorine residues (bleaching byproducts)
Conventional tampons are chlorine-bleached, which can leave trace dioxin residues. Flo does not publicly disclose bleaching method (e.g., elemental chlorine-free, TCF/totally chlorine-free), but no independent testing or complaints of excess residue are on record for this product.
Rayon process contaminants (heavy metals in viscose effluent)
Viscose rayon production can release sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid into water; finished fiber is safe, but manufacturing pollution is an environmental concern. Flo does not specify closed-loop Lyocell process or supplier environmental standards, so process-level exposure cannot be ruled out, though consumer exposure via the final product is negligible.
Pesticide residues in cotton
Flo uses certified organic cotton, which prohibits synthetic pesticides. No pesticide contamination is documented for this product. Organic certification mitigates this hazard class entirely.
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Flo Organic Tampons are marketed unscented. No fragrance chemicals or reported contact dermatitis incidents are on record. Cardboard applicator is free of latex and phtalate-based plasticizers.
Adhesive and glue residues (rayon-to-string, applicator assembly)
Adhesives used in tampon assembly are not detailed by the brand. Food-grade adhesives are standard; no chemical leaching from assembly glues is documented for Flo or competitor brands in this category.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Tampons
Seventh Generation
Organic Cotton Tampons Applicator
organic cotton (tampon & applicator core); cardboard applicator
Lower-concern buy, organic cotton & MADE SAFE cert reduce PFAS risk, though brand is silent on the topic.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Lola
Organic Cotton Tampons
organic cotton (no synthetic coatings)
Lower concern, uncoated organic cotton with transparent PFAS-free positioning and third-party certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Cora
Organic Tampons with Applicator
organic cotton tampon with cardboard/plastic applicator
Lower-concern choice; organic base material and MADE SAFE cert suggest thoughtful sourcing, but no explicit PFAS commitment.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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.