Member Comments

The article rightly points out that what most people refer to as bamboo fabric is in fact a fibre produced using bamboo cellulose in a process akin to making rayon. ie Bamboo is still the SOURCE of the fibre, and as such, that bamboo is one of the most sustainable resources on our plant. (It grows like crazy in my garden).

In the USA there is a debate as to whether bamboo rayon should be classified as rayon or have its own classification "Bamboo".

This should not detract from the fact that bamboo rayon is a wonderful soft fabric suitable for a range of clothing, and gaining in popularity. Much to the concern of the powerful cotton lobby. For the other side of the story I recommend you read http://blog.greenearthbamboo.com/20090821/bamboo-the-environment/ftc-bamboozles-public-about-bamboo-fabric/

Disclosure of interest: I am an importer of bamboo rayon baby clothes.

Why has it taken so long for someone to point this out - and why do companies in New Zealand continue to rely on CHINESE testing to verify claims.

Thank you consumer. I consider myself fairly well informed (or at least sufficiently cynical) but hadn't thought of this one. Next perhaps you could test the "100 per cent" cotton sheets from a large retail outlet well known for discounting - 100 per cent nylon I suspect.

Moral of the story... Its time for consumers to stop getting sucked in by what it says on the packet (so to speak)

I could walk down the average supermarket isle and find dozens of things which at face value, are ambiguous enough to an average consumer, to some items that IMHO are an outright scam.

ALL dieting foods fit this category - They all say somewhere in the fine print that dieting requires a good eating and exercise program... Well what do you know? Maybe if you went on a good eating and exercise program anyway and ditched the dieting product, you just might find that you get the intended result without the extra cost.

McCains Healthy Choice frozen fries are another good one - They're 97% fat free. Yes, that means that a whole 3% of them is FAT. And is that healthy choice? Compared to a baked potato or boiled potato then no, it's not.

These 'vege crisps' and 'apple crisps' are also fine examples. Some brands claim that they are healthier than ordinary chips. That might be so but with a fat content around 20%, it's still a lot of fat (not to mention salt!).

Personally the word healthy should not be used on ANY product that actually isn't healthy in any shape or form.

I was just gobsmacked to read this article, I have purchased two bamboo tops recently and many of my friends are huge bamboo fans, its like the latest cool thing to buy. And they are buying RAYON!
Can't believe that we have once again been so badly taken in.
Thank you Consumer!

Yet another victory for the manufacturers! Advertise the same old stuff but with 'eco' words. Most people will be sucked in.
Witness people paying double the price for 'eco' dishwash powder... or worse, washing up liquid with a dolphin on the label!

would baby knitting yarn likely be rayon too?