Scientists Tested 113 Everyday Products Sold by Major US Retailers. 85% Contained ‘Undisclosed Harmful Chemicals’
One in four 'natural' products contradicted their own claims.
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A comprehensive study examining 113 personal care and cleaning products from major U.S. retailers has raised significant concerns about product labeling accuracy. Researchers analyzed items from categories including shampoo, sunscreen, deodorant, laundry detergents, and baby lotions purchased at Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Dollar Tree. The findings, published in Environment & Health, reveal a troubling gap between what manufacturers disclose and what products actually contain.
The research discovered that nearly all products—98 percent—contained at least one unlabeled chemical, with 85 percent harboring undisclosed substances linked to potential health risks. Environmental health scientist Jenna Hua emphasized that consumers reading labels carefully to avoid harmful chemicals may still face exposure to them unknowingly. Particularly concerning are endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which interfere with natural hormones and have been associated with conditions ranging from cancer to obesity.
More than one-quarter of tested products made marketing claims contradicted by their actual chemical composition, such as promoting themselves as “100 percent natural” or “hypoallergenic.” Researchers suggest these unlabeled chemicals may result from production contamination, storage issues, or unexpected reactions between ingredients rather than intentional additions. They emphasize that current regulations allow companies to obscure ingredients under vague terms like “fragrance” or undisclosed botanical compounds.
The study team is calling for stricter regulations and independent testing of finished products before shelf placement. Future research should expand testing to additional product categories and develop better methods for identifying contamination sources throughout supply chains.
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Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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