Household Cleaning Products - Things We Won’t Carry and Why*

Finding household cleaning products with the environmental footprint that is important to you can be tricky. Not to mention, deciphering the potential health and environmental impacts of each ingredient is a daunting task that most of us do not have the time to do. We’ve got you covered. We’ve done the deciphering for you. Our quality standards experts meet regularly to evaluate and review product ingredients to ensure that we are offering, what we think are, the cleanest and most ecologically thoughtful household cleaning products available. Our Household Cleaning Product Standards set the bar high because the potential health and environmental impacts of the products you use to keep your home and clothes clean shouldn’t keep you up at night.

Grandmothered & Limited Ingredients 

As new research becomes available, an ingredient that might not have been considered problematic may now be an ingredient of concern or unacceptable. Read more about grandmothered and limited ingredients.

Household Cleaning Ingredients We Won’t Carry

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Quaternary ammonium compounds” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

  • We consider lab-synthesized fragrances that are described as nature-identical to be synthetic fragrances. These fragrances are produced in a lab, often from petrochemicals. This process may leave residual byproducts that could be potentially problematic. Furthermore, they do not and cannot mimic the full range of a fragrance that comes from a natural source. They are a one-note imitation of a symphony. We only allow natural fragrances that are extracted from natural sources in the products we sell, so you don’t get a cheap imitation with residual substances from the manufacturing process that could have a potentially negative impact on your health.  
  • Thousands of synthetic chemicals are used to make artificial fragrances and each individual fragrance may be composed of dozens or even hundreds of these chemicals.
  • Many of the chemicals used as artificial fragrances are known endocrine disruptors, associated with infertility and hormone issues.[i][ii][iii][iv]
  • These chemicals bioaccumulate in our bodies and can be passed to offspring through breast milk and perinatal exposures. Children exposed to these chemicals in utero may be more likely to display disruptive behavior.[v]
  • Some chemicals used in artificial fragrances don't biodegrade or only partially biodegrade and have been found in the environment where they may also wreak havoc.[vi][vii]
  • We only carry products that use natural fragrances extracted from natural sources and verify that every household product that contains fragrance meets our standards.

[i] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Available on line: https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/13641/dbp_echa_review_report_201…

[ii] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Available online: https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.003.829

[iii] Phthalates. Campaign for safe cosmetics. Retrieved February 17, 2021 from https://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/phthal…

[iv] Taylor, K. M., Weisskopf, M., Shine, J. (2014). Human exposure to nitro musks and the evaluation of their potential toxicity: an overview. Environ Health. 13, 14. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-13-14

[v] Engel, S. M., Miodovnik, A., Canfield, R. L., Zhu, C., Silva, M. J., Calafat, A. M., & Wolff, M. S. (2010). Prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with childhood behavior and executive functioning. Environmental health perspectives, 118(4), 565–571. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0901470

[vi] Taylor, K. M., Weisskopf, M., Shine, J. (2014). Human exposure to nitro musks and the evaluation of their potential toxicity: an overview. Environ Health. 13, 14. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-13-14

[vii] Synthetic musks. Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Retrieved February 17, 2021 from https://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/synthe…

Please see “Quaternary ammonium compounds” for more information.

Please see “Quaternary ammonium compounds” for more information.

Please see “Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Quaternary ammonium compounds” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Quaternary ammonium compounds” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Quaternary ammonium compounds” for more information.

Please see “Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors” for more information.

  • Ethanolamines are a family of chemicals that are used as surfactants and emulsifiers. They are common ingredients in cleaning products and laundry detergents.
  • When inhaled, ethanolamine compounds can irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties.[i]

[i] Siracusa, A., De Blay, F., Folletti, I., Moscato, G., Olivieri, M., Quirce, S., Raulf-Heimsoth, M., Sastre, J., Tarlo, S. M., Walusiak-Skorupa, J., & Zock, J.-P. . (2013). Asthma and exposure to cleaning products - a European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology task force consensus statement. Allergy, 68(12), 1532–1545. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.12279

 

  • This is a large family of compounds used as surfactants, emulsifiers, and preservatives that utilize ethylene oxide during the manufacturing process.
  • Ethoxylated ingredients contribute to the creation of 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of ethoxylation, and a known environmental contaminant.[i]
  • We are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint by reducing the number of products we carry that utilize ethoxylated ingredients.

[i] Doherty, A.-C., Lee, C.-S., Meng, Q., Sakano, Y., Noble, A. E., Grant, K. A., Esposito, A., Gobler, C. J., & Venkatesan, A. K. (2023). Contribution of household and personal care products to 1,4-dioxane contamination of drinking water. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 31, 100414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100414

 

 

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

  • Used as preservatives, these chemicals release formaldehyde slowly over time. These preservatives are often used in liquid detergents such as dish soap and laundry detergent.
  • Consumers are exposed to formaldehyde from these ingredients not only when products containing them come in contact with the skin but also when it is released into the air from these products.[i]
  • Both the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), recognize formaldehyde as a human carcinogen. [ii] [iii]
  • Formaldehyde is widely recognized to cause allergic skin reactions and skin sensitization.[iv] [v] [vi]

[i] International Agency for Research on Cancer (June 2004). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Volume 88 (2006): Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol and 1-tert-Butoxypropan-2-ol. Retrieved June 10, 2011, from: http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol88/index.php

[ii] National Toxicology Report. (2016, November 3). 14th report on carcinogens. US Department of Health and Human services. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/cancer/roc/index.html

[iii] International Agency for Research on Cancer (June 2004). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Volume 88 (2006): Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol and 1-tert-Butoxypropan-2-ol. Retrieved June 10, 2011, from: http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol88/index.php

[iv] Boyvat, A., Akyol, A., & Gürgey, E. (2005). Contact sensitivity to preservatives in Turkey. Contact dermatitis, 52(6), 329–332. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0105-1873.2005.00607.x

[v] Pratt, M. D., Belsito, D. V., DeLeo, V. A., Fowler, J. F., Jr, Fransway, A. F., Maibach, H. I., Marks, J. G., Mathias, C. G., Rietschel, R. L., Sasseville, D., Sherertz, E. F., Storrs, F. J., Taylor, J. S., & Zug, K. (2004). North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch-test results, 2001-2002 study period. Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug, 15(4), 176–183.

[vi] de Groot, A. C., White, I. R., Flyvholm, M. A., Lensen, G., & Coenraads, P. J. (2010). Formaldehyde-releasers in cosmetics: relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy. Part 1. Characterization, frequency and relevance of sensitization, and frequency of use in cosmetics. Contact dermatitis, 62(1), 2–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2009.01615.x

  • Glycol ethers are a group of compounds used for their solvent properties in cleaning and laundry products. They can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, both from vapors in the air and direct contact with cleaning products that contain them. [i]
  • Exposure to glycol ethers for several hours may cause eye and nose irritation, headache, a metallic taste in the mouth, and vomiting, while chronic exposure in humans causes fatigue, lethargy, nausea, loss of appetite, tremors, and anemia. [ii][iii]
  • Some glycol ethers are metabolized into compounds that may cause reduced sperm counts in males and a higher rate of birth defects in the offspring of women who are exposed. [iv][v]
     

[i] European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals. (2005). The Toxicology of Glycol Ethers and its Relevance to Man. In ECETOC TR No. 95: Vol. Volume I (Fourth Edition). https://www.ecetoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ECETOC-TR-095-Vol-I.p…

[ii] 2-Butoxyethanol and 2-Butoxyethanol acetate | ToxFAQsTM | ATSDR. (n.d.). https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=346&toxid=61

[iii] EPA. (n.d.). Glycol ethers. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/glycol-ethers…

[iv] Lyttleton, J. (2013). Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine. Churchill Livingstone. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/C2009-0-54723-X

[v] Warembourg, C., Botton, J., Lelong, N., Rouget, F., Khoshnood, B., Gléau, F. L., Monfort, C., Labat, L., Pierre, F., Heude, B., Slama, R., Multigner, L., Charles, M., Cordier, S., & Garlantézec, R. (2017). Prenatal exposure to glycol ethers and cryptorchidism and hypospadias: a nested case–control study. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 75(1), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2017-104391

Please see “Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Quaternary ammonium compounds” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

  • Parabens are widely used preservatives that have been shown to act as weak xenoestrogens and may cause hormone disruption.[i] [ii]
  • They are recognized as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (chemicals that interfere with the body’s production and/or use of hormones) and have been associated with hormonal changes that may contribute to fertility issues in humans. [iii] [iv]
  • Parabens have been found in breast cancer tissue, and some research has suggested they may contribute to breast cancer gene expression.[v]
  • Parabens have been detected in nearly all Americans tested, including infants, children, adults, and pregnant women, and in breast milk.[vi]
  • Even though we have relatively effective treatments to remove parabens from wastewater, they are so ubiquitous that they are still widely found in water and aquatic animals.[vii] [viii] They also appear to react with chlorine in water to create halogenated by-products that appear to be more stable and persistent, making them an even greater environmental threat.[ix] [x]


[i] n.a. Analysis finds hormone disruptor used in cosmetics in nearly 50 different foods. Environmental Working Group. April 8, 2015. https://www.ewg.org/release/analysis-finds-hormone-disruptor-used-cosme…  

[ii] Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. 67th report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43592/WHO_TRS_940_eng.p…

[iii] Nishihama, Y., Yoshinaga, J., Iida, A., Konishi, S., Imai, H., Yoneyama, M., Nakajima, D., & Shiraishi, H. (2016). Association between paraben exposure and menstrual cycle in female university students in Japan. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 63, 107–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.05.010

[iv] Smith, K.W., Souter, I., Dimitriadis, I., Ehrlich, S., Williams, P.L., Calafat, A.M., Hauser, R. (2013 Nov-Dec). Urinary paraben concentrations and ovarian aging among women from a fertility center. Environ Health Perspect, 121(11-12), 1299-1305. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1205350

[v] Amin, M. M., Tabatabaeian, M., Chavoshani, A., Amjadi, E., Hashemi, M., Ebrahimpour, K., Klishadi, R., Khazaei, S., & Mansourian, M. (2019). Paraben Content in Adjacent Normal-malignant Breast Tissues from Women with Breast Cancer. Biomedical and environmental sciences : BES, 32(12), 893–904. https://doi.org/10.3967/bes2019.112

[vi] Stoiber, T. (2019, Apr 9). What are parabens, and why don’t they belong in cosmetics? Environmental Working Group. Retrieved from: https://www.ewg.org/what-are-parabens

[vii] Haman, C., Dauchy, X., Rosin, C., & Munoz, J. F. (2015). Occurrence, fate and behavior of parabens in aquatic environments: a review. Water research, 68, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.09.030

[viii]Nowak, K., Ratajczak-Wrona, W., Górska, M., & Jabłońska, E. (2018). Parabens and their effects on the endocrine system. Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 474, 238–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2018.03.014

[ix] Canosa, P., Rodríguez, I., Rubi, E., Negreira, N., Cela, R. (2006 Aug 4). Formation of halogenated by-products of parabens in chlorinated water. Analytica Chimica Acta, 575, 1, 106-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2006.05.068

[x] Haman, C., Dauchy, X., Rosin, C., & Munoz, J. F. (2015). Occurrence, fate and behavior of parabens in aquatic environments: a review. Water research, 68, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.09.030

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

  • Phosphates are added to detergent to combat hard water to allow the cleaning agents to work better.
  • Phosphates used in household cleaning products (such as laundry and dishwashing detergents) contribute to the eutrophication of waterways.[i]
  • Eutrophication is excessive plant and algal growth that leads to changes in water quality, such as reduced oxygen and increased pH, leading to disrupted food webs and the death of aquatic animals. Excessive algal growth (aka, algal blooms) can also produce large amounts of toxins and bacterial growth that can make people sick if they come in contact with polluted water or consume tainted fish or shellfish. [ii][iii]

[i] Richards, S., Paterson, E., Wither, P.J.A., & Stutter, M. (2015). The contribute of household chemicals to environmental dischardes via effluents: combining chemical and behavioural data. Journal of Environmental Management, 150, 427-434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.12.023

[ii] The problem | US EPA. (2024, November 15). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/problem

[iii] Chislock, M.F., Doster, E., Zitomer, R.A. & Wilson, A.E. (2013). Eutrophication: causes, consequences, and control. Nature Education KnowledgeI, 4(4): 10. https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/eutrophication-causes…

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

  • Phthalates are found in many household products, especially those with fragrances. They are known endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with the body’s production and/or use of hormones). [i][ii][iii]
  • Exposure to phthalates can impair both male and female fertility.[iv][v]
  • Maternal phthalate exposure can negatively impact the sexual development of their offspring and male offspring may be particularly susceptible.[vi][vii]
  • Exposure to phthalates in utero has been shown to have epigenetic effects, meaning they may alter genes and their expression permanently and in some cases even in the next generations.[viii]

[i] http://endocrinedisruption.org/

[ii] European Commission. List of 146 substances with endocrine disruption classifications prepared in the expert meeting. Available online: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/docum/pdf/bkh_annex_13.pdf Aug… 13, 2014.

[iii] Candidate list of substances of very high concern for authorisation. (n.d.). Retrieved April 07, 2021, from https://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/candidate-list-table

[iv] Radke, E.G., Braun, J.M., Meeker, J.D., Cooper, G.S. (2018). Phthalate exposure and male reproductive outcomes: a systematic review of the human epidemiological evidence. Environment International, 121(1), 764-793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2018.07.029

[v] Feldscher, K. (2016, November 8). Exposure to phthalates may raise risk of pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/phthalates-exposure-pregnanc….

[vi] Watkins, D. J., Téllez-Rojo, M. M., Ferguson, K. K., Lee, J. M., Solano-Gonzalez, M., Blank-Goldenberg, C., Peterson, K. E., & Meeker, J. D. (2014). In utero and peripubertal exposure to phthalates and BPA in relation to female sexual maturation. Environmental research, 134, 233–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2014.08.010

[vii] Wineland, R. J., Bloom, M. S., Cruze, L., Butts, C. D., Wenzel, A. G., Unal, E. R., Kohno, S., Willan, K. B., Brock, J. W., & Newman, R. B. (2019). In utero effects of maternal phthalate exposure on male genital development. Prenatal diagnosis, 39(3), 209–218. https://doi.org/10.1002/pd.5398

[viii] Singh, S., & Li, S. S. (2012). Epigenetic effects of environmental chemicals bisphenol A and phthalates. International journal of molecular sciences, 13(8), 10143–10153. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms130810143

Please see “Phthalates” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

  • Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly found in cleaning, laundry, and disinfectant products. Humans may be exposed to them through skin exposure, inhalation of aerosols or contaminated dust, and orally through hand-to-mouth. QACs may remain on surfaces long after they are applied, extending potential exposure.[i]
  • Acute exposure to the common QACs didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) and alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC) can cause eye, nose, throat, or lung irritation, while chronic exposure may lead to skin sensitization.[ii]
  • QACs have been associated with an increased risk of asthma in healthcare workers, janitors, housekeepers, and others chronically exposed to QAC-containing disinfectants—again with DDAC and ADBAC being the most concerning.[iii][iv][v]
  • In animal studies, chronic exposure to QACs, including ADBAC and DDAC, has been shown to disrupt endocrine, immune, and reproductive function.[vi] In fact, mice kept in cages where ADBAC and DDAC were used only as cleaning agents showed decreased reproductive performance and decreases in fertility, with the QACs still being detected six months after discontinuing use of the disinfectant. [vii]
  • In one study, 80% of the participants tested had detectable concentrations of the QACs DDAC and benzalkonium chloride in their blood. [viii] Higher blood concentrations of QACs were associated with increased markers of inflammation, decreased mitochondrial function, and altered cholesterol production.

[i] Arnold, W. A., Blum, A., Branyan, J., Bruton, T. A., Carignan, C. C., Cortopassi, G., Datta, S., DeWitt, J., Doherty, A. C., Halden, R. U., Harari, H., Hartmann, E. M., Hrubec, T. C., Iyer, S., Kwiatkowski, C. F., LaPier, J., Li, D., Li, L., Muñiz Ortiz, J. G., Salamova, A., … Zheng, G. (2023). Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A Chemical Class of Emerging Concern. Environmental science & technology, 57(20), 7645–7665. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c08244

[ii] Toxics Use Reduction Institute. (2024, March 25). Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Fact Sheet - TURI. TURI. https://www.turi.org/quaternary-ammonium-compounds-fact-sheet/#

[iii] Migueres, N., Debaille, C., Walusiak-Skorupa, J., Lipińska-Ojrzanowska, A., Munoz, X., van Kampen, V., Suojalehto, H., Suuronen, K., Seed, M., Lee, S., Rifflart, C., Godet, J., de Blay, F., Vandenplas, O., & European Network for the Phenotyping of Occupational Asthma (E-PHOCAS) (2021). Occupational Asthma Caused by Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A Multicenter Cohort Study. The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 9(9), 3387–3395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2021.04.041

[iv] Gonzalez, M., Jégu, J., Kopferschmitt, M. C., Donnay, C., Hedelin, G., Matzinger, F., Velten, M., Guilloux, L., Cantineau, A., & de Blay, F. (2014). Asthma among workers in healthcare settings: role of disinfection with quaternary ammonium compounds. Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 44(3), 393–406. https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.12215

[v] Toxics Use Reduction Institute. (2024, March 25). Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Fact Sheet - TURI. TURI. https://www.turi.org/quaternary-ammonium-compounds-fact-sheet/#

[vi] Camagay AV, Kendall N, & Connolly MK. Quaternary Ammonium Compound Toxicity. [Updated 2023 Jul 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594254/

[vii] Melin, V.E., Potineni, H., Hunt, P., Griswold, J., Siems, B., Were, S.R., & Hrubec, T.C. (2014). Exposure to common quaternary ammonium disinfectants decreases fertility in mice. Reproductive toxicology, 50, 163-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.07.071

[viii] Hrubec, T.C., Seguin, R.P., Xu, L., Cortopassi, G.A., Datta, S., Hanlon, A.L., Lozano, A.J., McDonald, V.A., Healy, C.A., Anderson, T.C., Musse, N.A., & Williams, R.T. (2021). Altered toxicological endpoints in humans from common quaternary ammonium compound disinfectant exposure. Toxicology Reports, 8, 646-656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.03.006

Please see “Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors” for more information.

Please see "Quarternary ammonium compounds" for more information. 

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

  • We define synthetic colors as any coloring derived from a non-food source, usually coal tar or petroleum.
  • The process of making synthetic colors is extremely hazardous and can result in very dangerous chemicals in the final product. Due to this fact, the FDA requires batch certification to try and ensure there are minimal levels of dangerous chemicals in the final product. However, FDA batch-certified synthetic colors may still contain upwards of 10 percent impurities and some of these impurities are known carcinogens.[i]
  • The potential adverse health effects linked to certain synthetic colors currently approved for use in the United States include allergies, hyperactivity, cancer, nerve-cell toxicity, genotoxicity, and immune dysfunction.[ii]

[i] Food Dyes - Center for Science in the Public Interest. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of…

[ii] Food Dyes - Center for Science in the Public Interest. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of…

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Synthetic colors” for more information.

Please see “Ethanolamines” for more information.

Please see “Glycol ethers” for more information.

Please see “Phosphates” for more information.

Please see “Parabens” for more information.

*We work hard to keep the information on our “Things We Won’t Carry and Why” lists accurate and up to date. However, there are times where an ingredient on these lists may appear in one of our products. As an example, manufacturers may reformulate their products, leading to changes in ingredient lists that could temporarily allow an excluded ingredient to appear in products on our shelves. We constantly work with our suppliers to monitor product ingredients changes and make every effort to promptly identify and address affected products that don’t meet our standards.