A new lawsuit alleges that an “organic tampon” marketed as having a “100% organic cotton core” by the leading global seller of women’s hygiene products contains hazardous chemicals.
Three women from California filed a lawsuit against Proctor & Gamble (also known as P&G), the parent company of Tampax. In 2019, Tampax introduced its “Pure Cotton” tampon, which P&G promoted as a “safe, natural choice for feminine hygiene” featuring “simple ingredients” that users could “feel good about” and “trust,” as stated in the women’s complaint.
The Pure Cotton tampon box prominently displays the claim of a “100% ORGANIC COTTON CORE.” According to the women’s lawsuit complaint, P&G’s statement intentionally leads consumers to believe that these tampon products are a safe option for absorbing menstrual fluid and do not contain any dangerous chemicals.
The lawsuit asserts that, contrary to P&G’s continuous and widespread promotion of the products as pure and organic, independent testing conducted by the plaintiffs revealed that the tampon products contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These human-made chemicals are known for their toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative properties and are linked to various health concerns, as stated in the victims’ complaints.
The lawsuit describes PFAS as “a category of highly persistent and potentially harmful man-made chemicals” that do not occur naturally. There are thousands of PFAS, which can be absorbed through the skin.
According to the lawsuit, PFAS are associated with various “negative health effects,” including decreased female and male fertility, increased risk of cancers, negative developmental effects or delays in children, liver damage, thyroid disease, interference with hormones, negative impacts on the immune system, and elevated cholesterol levels.
The lawsuit states that there is no treatment to eliminate PFAS from the body, and these substances are sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals.”
Exposure to toxic substances like PFAS through period care products is especially concerning because studies indicate that the vaginal ecosystem is much more sensitive and absorbent than regular skin, as mentioned in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit highlights that there is currently a “significant public health concern” regarding chemicals used in feminine healthcare products and suggests that P&G exploited these concerns in its marketing for the Pure Cotton tampons.
The lawsuit further claims that P&G is fully aware of consumers’ preference to avoid potentially harmful chemicals. This awareness is precisely why the company has pursued an aggressive, consistent marketing campaign designed to persuade consumers that the products are a ‘pure’ and natural alternative to conventional menstrual products, free from potentially harmful ingredients such as PFAS.
The lawsuit alleges that “reasonable consumers” would therefore believe that the Pure Cotton tampons do not contain any artificial, man-made, or synthetic chemicals that could adversely impact their health.
The complaint further states that there is no doubt that the Pure and Organic representations were intentional and were designed to convince reasonable consumers that these products are, in fact, ‘pure’ and free from potentially harmful ingredients. These representations are central to P&G’s marketing and sales strategy for the products, aiming to persuade health-conscious consumers that the products are a pure and natural choice.
The plaintiffs claim in the complaint that they would not have purchased the Pure Cotton tampons if they had known that P&G “materially misrepresented […] and/or omitted material information” about these products.
The lawsuit also accuses P&G of violating consumer protection laws, false advertising, and unjust enrichment. The plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory and other damages, as well as an injunction to prevent P&G from engaging in the “wrongful and unlawful” conduct outlined in the complaint.
The lawsuit has been filed in a federal court in California. The complete complaint can be accessed here.
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Retaining a product liability attorney after being injured by a dangerous product is important for several reasons:
- Expertise: Product liability attorneys have specialized knowledge and experience in handling cases involving defective and dangerous products. They understand the complex laws, regulations, and industry standards that govern product safety.
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- Legal Representation: If your product liability case goes to trial, a product liability attorney will represent you in court, presenting evidence and arguing on your behalf to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
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Retaining a product liability attorney after being injured by a dangerous product is crucial to ensure you receive fair compensation, hold the responsible parties accountable, and contribute to improved product safety standards.
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