Baby products still contain too many risky substances

Healthcare products for babies still contain too many risky substances, which may harm the baby’s skin more than it would help according to a new study, performed by a European women’s organization.

Insufficient for 299 out of 341 products researched

Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF)’s French branch examined 341 baby products, taken from apothecaries, supermarkets and bio stores, including shampoo, body lotion and obviously wet wipes. Many international brands (like Nivea, Pampers and Johnson) and household brands (including Carrefour) were also examined.

Based on the European Union and France’s medicine board’s scientific advice, it concluded that an astonishing 299 out of 341 products contained one or more substances considered to have a “heightened risk”. It was amazing that 226 out of 344 items were strongly perfumed: “This has no healthcare benefit and can cause allergies with lifelong consequences for the infants”, WECF’s Elisabeth Ruffinengo said.

It is not the first time baby healthcare products have been in the spotlight, because French consumer organization Que Choisir had already flagged the risky substances several years ago. The main focus back then were the wet wipes.