According to Ms. Huo, the problem came to light after her 13-year-old daughter developed physical discomfort while using the product. After wearing the tenth pair of the Sofy sanitary pants, the girl experienced severe itching and redness in her private area. A medical examination later confirmed that she had contracted a fungal infection. Alarmed, Ms. Huo inspected the remaining unopened packages at home—only to find live worms wriggling inside one of them. She recorded a video of the discovery and contacted both the media and the manufacturer.

Journalists soon arrived at the scene and, in the presence of both Ms. Huo and representatives from the Sofy brand, conducted a live unboxing test. To the shock of everyone present, another package was found to contain live insects. Experts later identified the pests as Indian meal moth larvae, a species that typically infests grains and dry food and can survive for two to four weeks. The discovery caused widespread alarm about product contamination and manufacturing hygiene.

In response, Sofy’s corporate representatives held a press conference, where the company’s spokesperson publicly bowed in apology and confirmed the presence of live insects. However, they insisted that Sofy’s production lines are fully automated, sealed systems that use high-temperature sterilization exceeding 100°C, making it “theoretically impossible” for live insects to survive or enter the products during manufacturing. The company suggested that the contamination might have occurred during logistics, storage, or retail handling, and promised a full investigation in cooperation with market regulators.

The product involved in the incident, Sofy Ultra Night Anxin Pants, is one of the brand’s best-selling items. Data from Sofy’s official flagship store showed massive sales figures: over 40,000 purchases for the 6-piece trial pack, and more than 300,000 purchases for the quarterly pack. The scandal thus dealt a serious blow to the brand’s reputation and consumer confidence.

As the incident spread across social media, public skepticism intensified. Many netizens questioned the company’s explanation, pointing out that live insects inside sealed packaging could not be easily attributed to external storage issues. Others resurfaced past scandals involving Sofy, including previous consumer complaints about sanitary pads containing foreign substances and allegations of recycled materials being reused in production. These revelations further deepened public distrust.

The controversy has since reignited a broader national debate on the safety and regulation of feminine hygiene products in China. Consumers and experts alike have urged authorities to impose stricter quality control measures, increase transparency in manufacturing, and require companies to disclose detailed investigation results.

As of now, Sofy has temporarily recalled and suspended sales of the affected batch and promised refunds and compensation to consumers who purchased it. However, the company faces an uphill battle to restore public trust. The “Sofy live worm scandal” has become more than just a product defect case—it stands as a major test of corporate accountability, public health oversight, and consumer protection in China’s growing sanitary product market.