Failing the sniff test (PDF) - David Suzuki Foundation

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6        Table 1 (cont.) Response  received  Provided  complete list  of fragrance  ingredients  Provided  information  about  Do fragrance mixtures contain  phthalates (Response may be  specific to a certain product)   sensitizers  No  Yes/Maybe  No answer  Nivea (Beiersdorf)            L'Oreal              Pears              Pierre Fabre              Proctor & Gamble          *     Purell (GOJO)              Pureology     ††             Radox              REHA Enterprises              Revlon              Sally Hershberger              Unilever          *     Woof Cosmetics              Yves Rocher      ‡     *       TALLY  34/42  0  7  15  6  21  *   Most responses from these companies did not specify whether their fragrance mixtures contain phthalates;  however, some consumers received a response indicating that the product in question did (or did not) contain  phthalates. In the case of Johnson & Johnson, one consumer received a response indicating that baby products do  not contain DEP and other products may contain DEP.  †   A confidentiality notice on responses received from the Hain Celestial Group prevents us from disclosing this  information.  ‡  Most responses from these companies did not provide information about contact sensitizers; however, one  consumer received a response that contained this information.    §  Jamison indicated that more information would be forthcoming.  **  For most of the products we asked about, Kao Brands did not specify whether its fragrance mixtures contain  phthalates; however, the company did indicate that Root, SB, Biore, RR, FE Brilliant Brunette and newer NG  fragrances, as well as John Freida Frizz‐Ease 100% Shine and Secret Weapon are phthalate free.   ††  Acknowledgement only; no response provided to our questions.    “ Phthalates are a large class of ingredients we’re often asked  about, but not all phthalates are the same. The phthalate  family is similar to mushrooms; just like mushrooms, some  ” phthalates are safe and some types are unsafe. Proctor & Gamble  Failing the Sniff Test  www.davidsuzuki.org/publications 
7  Several of the responses we received argue that phthalates and other fragrance chemicals are  perfectly safe. We may agree to disagree on this issue, but consumers should at least have access to  the information they need to make a choice about whether or not to use shampoos, creams and  other body products that contain such ingredients.     One of the most surprising responses was repeated by Henkel, Proctor and Gamble and Unilever.  These companies informed us that they would only discuss specific fragrance ingredients if  contacted by a customer’s family doctor. It is important that physicians have access to this  information to help patients with fragrance allergy symptoms, but Canadians shouldn’t need a  doctor’s note to find out what chemicals are inside their personal care products!     “ We normally do not disclose this information, as it is  proprietary. However, if this is a medical necessity we would  be more than happy to speak with your Physician should  ” they wish to contact us. Unilever    Conclusion  At present, it is difficult if not impossible for Canadian consumers to access information about the  chemicals used as fragrance in their cosmetics, some of which are associated with serious health  and environmental problems. We received only one complete list of fragrance ingredients from the  companies contacted. These results underscore the need to strengthen Canada’s Cosmetics  Regulation. Specifically, the David Suzuki Foundation offers the following recommendations:    1. That manufacturers be required to disclose complete lists of fragrance ingredients. Ideally,  specific fragrance chemicals should be included on product ingredient lists. At a minimum,  complete fragrance ingredient lists should be made available online and upon request.    2. That manufacturers be required to identify contact sensitizers on the retail product label,  starting with but not limited to the 26 ingredients already regulated by the European Union.    3. That products marketed as “unscented” or “fragrance‐free” be truly free of fragrance  chemicals. 
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Page 5: 5    Table 1 - Summary 
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