Nexus - 0702 - New Times Magazine-pages

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When I called a representative at Proctor & Gamble (the manu- labels—despite the fact that it is impossible not to inhale or swal- facturer) to find out what exactly these "quality control agents" low some of the product, since it is used in the mouth! are, the woman told me that to protect its research and profits the 14. Some products containing a wide range of additives— company had classified that information as proprietary. However, detergents, dyes, preservatives, fragrances, pesticides and sol- she indicated that she was allowed to disclose ingredients if I vents—are specifically intended for children. A child's immune asked her directly, "Does this product contain such-and-such?" function is not developed enough to handle even somewhat ade- Companies are obliged to comply with this procedure in case peo- quately the onslaught of so many poisons. Yet Johnson's baby ple have allergies. I was saved the trouble of reciting specific poi- products are touted on the labels as "hypo-allergenic" and "tear- sons from my list, one by one, when she volunteered that the free". (See item 15 for information on what "hypoallergenic" "quality control agents" prevent freezing and ensure homogenisa- really means.) tion and consistency of the product—a function typical of a sol- 15. Labels often contain confusing legal terms that obscure the vent. Thus I was able immediately to focus on my list of solvents, truth instead of inform. For example, "hypoallergenic" does not and by reading them individually quickly determined that Comet —_ mean “not allergy-producing". It means "Jess likely to cause an Homecare Bathroom Cleaner contains a powerful alcohol solvent, allergic reaction, but it still might". Similarly, the label on Earth dipropylene glycol butyl ether. Rite Dishwashing Liquid states, "Non-Toxic to Children". But Incidentally, a recorded voice told me before my phone conver- the /egal definition of "non-toxic" means "allowably toxic"— sation that my call would be taped. I was not given a choice which is almost the opposite of its everyday, commonsense usage. about this. In exchange for a consultation with a company mem- The truth is revealed elsewhere on the label, which reads: ber (which should be my legal right, since the company is dis- "Caution: Please keep all cleaning products out of the reach of pensing poisons), I was forced to endure this invasion of my pri- children. If swallowed, drink a glass of water and call a physi- vacy. cian." (The reason for the "Caution" is that this product contains 10. Those labels that do list ingredients are inconsistent. For harmful alcohol and detergent.) instance, sometimes ingredients 16. Manufacturers often combine legal are listed according to their meanings with common meanings on the chemical name (such as disodium same label. For example, a label might EDTA); other times, by their . . . read "Caution", which has a specific legal function (e.g., a preservative). In an ironic twist, some of the meaning. But that same label can say Also. confusion can anise labelling laws are potentially "Canton" ploy to detract trom the cause some toxins are used for ri "Caution"), which is not legal efine: more than one function. For damaging to the consumer and therefore has no meaning other than example. butyl Stearate is Pott an because they require what the consumer thinks means. wus anti-foaming agent and a synthet- . even a careful shopper has difficulty deci- ic flavouring. Pyridinem, which too much of the wrong kind phering what exactly s/he is buying. was once used as a medication of information on the label. 17. Companies have ways of bypass- for asthma, is now utilised both as a solvent and as an additive ing "allowable limits" of a particular poi- son. For example, the FDA's limit for for chocolate flavourings in highly carcinogenic aflatoxins in nuts is candy and other foods. 15 parts per million. There is nothing to 11. Some of the ingredients listed are known by more than one prevent a company from adding uncontaminated nuts to a batch name, and may not be recognisable from one product to another. that has an unacceptably high contamination level—thus creating One example is methylcellulose, which is also known as cellulose a new batch of nuts that can now be sold because the total average and methyl ether. Extremely poisonous, it is extracted by treating level of contamination has been made "allowable". wood pulp or chemical cotton with alcohol. It is related to car- 18. In an ironic twist, some of the labelling laws are potentially boxymethylcellulose. Unless you have a solid background in damaging to the consumer because they require too much of the chemistry, it is difficult to decipher what exactly is in the prod- wrong kind of information on the label. Some items now require ucts, even with the help of several good reference guides. the chemical name of an ingredient rather than the common name Moreover, the constant creation of new chemicals renders even with which the consumer is more familiar. An example of this is good chemical dictionaries obsolete. (Note that I am referring the magnesium aluminum silicate listed on Weleda's Iris Hand & only to the chemicals that are listed; many are not.) Body Lotion. Although the term is followed by the explanatory 12. Some labels disclose the ingredients not in the ingredients phrase "(a purified clay)", I initially had doubts, because not all section, but on other parts of the label—which means that some- clay is composed of materials that I would want to put on my times the consumer must read the entire label to find out the con- skin—and by what process is the substance "purified"? A compa- tents of the product. For instance, one discovers that Comet ny representative advised me that magnesium aluminum silicate is Homecare Bathroom Cleaner contains a dangerous alcohol sol- another word for "bentonite", a clean, edible clay that is widely vent only when reading the First Aid portion: "In case of eye con- and effectively used for colon cleansing. Had I known this, I tact, flush thoroughly with water. If irritation persists, call a would not have been concerned. The Cosmetic, Toiletries and physician. If swallowed, drink a glass of water and call a physi- Fragrance Association (CTFA) is responsible for setting the stan- cian (product contains an alcohol, ethoxylate)." (We're now back dards for this unnecessarily detailed labelling, and the FDA fol- to the discussion that the same poison can have many names.) lows the guidelines set by the CTFA when it monitors cosmetics. 13. Sometimes a product does not have its ingredients listed 19. There is a lot of information that the FDA outright refuses because it is improperly classified. For instance, because denture to permit on packaging, even though the information would greatly adhesive creams are not legally considered foods or cosmetics, the , . : . . . Continued on page 81 manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients on the labelling laws are potentially damaging to the consumer eae as because they require too much of the wrong kind of information on the label. 48 - NEXUS In an ironic twist, some of the Continued on page 81 FEBRUARY — MARCH 2000