We're advising shoppers not to buy All Natural Nature’s Choice laundry powder.
This product claims to be “environmentally friendly” and “hypo-allergenic”. But we think these claims are likely to mislead consumers about its safety.
All Natural laundry powder contains sodium metasilicate, a highly corrosive mineral salt. We’ve written before about children who have eaten dishwasher detergent containing sodium metasilicate and as a result have suffered severe burns to the mouth, throat and oesophagus. Some of these burns were so severe that the children had to be operated on.
Dennis Munro, All Natural’s general manager, told us sodium metasilicate comprised around 12 percent of its product. At this level – according to the Environmental Risk Management Authority – the laundry powder must be contained in child-proof packaging and must display hazard warnings. All Natural’s powder doesn’t comply with these requirements.
Dennis Munro also told us sodium metasilicate “is a naturally occurring material”. However, just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Testing we commissioned showed that All Natural had a pH of 12.6 a level regarded as highly corrosive. Since 2007, dishwasher detergents with a pH level higher than 12.5 have been banned. We think the same rule should apply to laundry powders.
Dennis Munro told us the company’s own testing showed the powder had a pH of between 9.5 and 10. These results are inconsistent with our own testing.
We asked regulatory agencies to investigate All Natural’s compliance with the labelling and packaging rules for hazardous substances. As a result of our request, the Department of Labour advised us that the company had reformulated its product to comply with current standards. The department says manufacture of the reformulated product is now underway. We think the company should remove any existing stocks of the powder from shelves.
... there’s more
We noticed All Natural used the “Not tested on animals” bunny logo on its packaging. The logo belongs to Choose Cruelty Free (CCF), which is the main organisation for vetting “no animal testing” claims by Kiwi companies. CCF told us that All Natural was not accredited to use the logo.
Ecostore powder
We also tested five other “green” laundry powders. None had a pH level as high as All Natural. But one product, Ecostore Laundry Powder, had a pH over 11.5 that’s the threshold above which ERMA says products must display hazard warnings and be contained in child-proof packaging. Ecostore’s powder had a pH of 11.8.
After we told the company of our results, chief executive Malcolm Rands announced it had reformulated the powder to meet standards. The company says all laundry powder it produces will now be compliant with the standards.
We’re now intending to test other powders on the market.
More from consumer.org.nz
- Laundry detergents - our September 2009 test of 11 top- and front-loader concentrate powders
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I have taken to cutting open a corner of my soap detergent powders as I am sick and tired of the 'tear/pull tabs not working well! Powder was spilling all over the place as often the 'zippers' would tear off half way round etc. Needs to be an improvement in this area!
A lot of producers try to ride the wave of 'Green consiousness' of consumers. More and more conventional products have new packaging or a new name that suggests the products are natural or environmentally friendly. MOST are NOT, and it is a shame that so many people let themselves be tricked to think they are.
Well done Consumer for going into the nitty gritty of the mentioned laundry powder.
For the benefit of the consumer (as well as the environment), please make such testing and checking a regular column. Advertising/publishing the results will also cause that manufacturers have to mind their claims.
Well done.
I have been using this product and have found the very fine powder is very easily inhaled as it is being tipped into the machine and burns the nostrils!