Ingredient lists for household products

The Canadian Consumer Specialty Product Association (CCSPA) announced a voluntary consumer product communication initiative today that will include disclosing ingredients for some household products, such as air care products, cleaning products, polishes and floor-maintenance products. CCSPA member companies include The Clorox Company of Canada, Ltd. and Dow Chemical Canada Inc.

This is welcome news that will help consumers make informed decisions, say The Lung Association and The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). However, the CCS still argues that companies should be required to list ingredients on product labels. They have also recommended that the presence of toxic or carcinogenic substances be identified through the use of a highly visible hazard symbol and a clear, plain language statement.

The voluntary CCSPA plan involves disclosing all ingredients in the vast majority of their products on the product’s label, the company’s website, or via the company’s toll free number.

It’s a valuable first step to help us avoid potential toxins and allergy and asthma triggers in household products. At Best Health, we’re excited about the increasing numbers of companies offering healthy, environmentally friendly products. In our premiere issue on newsstands now, for instance, we give you the low-down on house-paint brands that contain fewer volatile organic compounds. Check out the article on page 34!