Happi Staff01.03.21
A popular preservative is under fire after a class action lawsuit claims that Unilever failed to warn consumers about the risks associated with using Tresemmé Keratin Smooth shampoo since the formula contains DMDM hydantoin, a preservative that is also a formaldehyde donor. Unilever is ranked No. 1 in The International Top 30, Happi's annual look at the leading household and personal products companies with headquarters outside the US.
However, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), an independent expert scientific panel established by the Personal Care Products Council, also has evaluated the scientific data and concluded that DMDM hydantoin is safe as a cosmetic ingredient at current levels of use—0.074%, or less. In 2005, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on DMDM hydantoin and reaffirmed its safety conclusion.
The Cosmetics Directive of the European Union also has approved DMDM hydantoin as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products at a maximum concentration of 0.6%.
Still, the lawsuit charges that Unilever’s use of DMDM hydantoin in the Tresemmé Keratin Smooth products is “an entirely unnecessary risk” since safer and natural alternatives exist. The suit alleges, the defendants have failed to properly warn consumers of the risks associated with using such a strong chemical on their hair and have even gone so far as to claim the Tresemmé Keratin Smooth products are safe.
“Defendants continued to conceal the dangers of the Products by failing to appropriately and fully recall the Products, by continuing to claim the Products were safe when properly applied, and by failing to warn consumers of the dangers attendant to the Products’ use,” according to the complaint.
Unilever isn't the only company facing hair care lawsuits. Johnson & Johnson faces a suit over OGX and DMDM Hydantoin. Last year, in August, an attorney weighed in on the issue on expertinstitute.com
However, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), an independent expert scientific panel established by the Personal Care Products Council, also has evaluated the scientific data and concluded that DMDM hydantoin is safe as a cosmetic ingredient at current levels of use—0.074%, or less. In 2005, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on DMDM hydantoin and reaffirmed its safety conclusion.
The Cosmetics Directive of the European Union also has approved DMDM hydantoin as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products at a maximum concentration of 0.6%.
Still, the lawsuit charges that Unilever’s use of DMDM hydantoin in the Tresemmé Keratin Smooth products is “an entirely unnecessary risk” since safer and natural alternatives exist. The suit alleges, the defendants have failed to properly warn consumers of the risks associated with using such a strong chemical on their hair and have even gone so far as to claim the Tresemmé Keratin Smooth products are safe.
“Defendants continued to conceal the dangers of the Products by failing to appropriately and fully recall the Products, by continuing to claim the Products were safe when properly applied, and by failing to warn consumers of the dangers attendant to the Products’ use,” according to the complaint.
Unilever isn't the only company facing hair care lawsuits. Johnson & Johnson faces a suit over OGX and DMDM Hydantoin. Last year, in August, an attorney weighed in on the issue on expertinstitute.com