Consumer Pressure Leads Avon To Phase Out Antibacterial Chemical

April 9, 2014
2:51 PM

Consumer Pressure Leads Avon To Phase Out Antibacterial Chemical

WASHINGTON - April 9 - The decision by Avon, one of the world’s largest beauty product manufacturers, to remove the antibacterial chemical triclosan from its products is “the latest example of how consumer pressure can improve product safety and change the marketplace,” Environmental Working Group said in a statement today.

“This is proof that consumer pressure does work and influences companies to do the right thing,” EWG’s Executive Director Heather White said. “We applaud Avon for putting the concerns of consumers first, and we hope other makers of beauty products will follow its example.”

In a statement released last week, Avon pledged to phase out triclosan, “based on the preferences expressed by some of [their] customers for products without triclosan.” The company said it is no longer using triclosan in new product development and has begun replacing it in existing products.

Triclosan is an antimicrobial chemical most commonly used in hand soaps and body washes to inhibit bacterial growth. It is also found in some brands of toothpaste, clothing, kitchenware, furniture and toys.

More:
https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2014/04/09-8