I was such a loyal customer, I buy everything that Seventh Generation has to offer, and trust the company. I noticed that my most recent case of baby wipes had a funny new odor, so I checked the ingredients and there it was, sodium, benzoate, a known carcinogen.
I am so disappointed. I thought I could trust Seventh Generation, but not anymore. It's too bad, it seems that they are getting too big to hold on to their conscience. The line between them and all the others are starting to blur.
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Tue, Dec. 09, 2008
Sodium Benzoate in the Baby Wipes?!
Posted by
AnneP
AnneP
Comments (9)
I Agree w/MomE
For both my children I used cloth diapers because it was more economical. My second one was alergic to dispoables so I had no choice. The same was true of wipes. I soon learned that a second set of wash cloths (the first set was in the kitchen for hands etc.) in a tub of water and a little ivory snow did the trick. Get 6 - 8 wash cloths and a sealable tub and make your own. They can be rinsed out. Not pleasent I know but better for baby, your pocketbook, and the environment.
Just don't use wipes
Seriously. My daughter had a 9 month long diaper rash. I'd heard about just using water, but I couldn't imagine that the wipes I was using was causing the rash. Her daycare provider asked me to bring in a roll of paper towels and they'd just wet them with water. It cleared the rash in a few days. I had forgotten how cute those little baby tushies are when they are rash free. And if you just use warm water, you've got yourself a built in wipe warmer and a much happier baby.
Not Good Enough!
You are exactly right Kaycee hall - you are being misled by Seventh Generation and the reply above is another case of trying to smooth things over! (Google certified organic baby wipes and it will give you better choices).
Sodium benzoate is derived from petroleum (so much for all those barrels of oil you claim your products save!) and is classified as a fungicide and insecticide.
Seventh Generation (JGlasscoe) If you KNOW that the ingredients used in your wipes have "the potential for the production of benzene" "a CARCINOGEN" then WHY are you using them? Could it be because it is easy to do so and cheap? It is not quite in line with your "concerns" for protecting the health of our babies is it? Another big green lie!
Sodium Benzoate, An Explanation
Preservatives are very important ingredients for maintaining product safety because they prevent bacterial and fungal growth in a product. Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are food grade preservatives which means that they are approved for use to preserve foods and are safe to consume. Seventh Generation uses sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives in our baby wipes. These two substances are found in nature in cranberries, cinnamon, apples and other fruits, berries, and herbs. However, for economic reasons, sodium benzoate is typically made from petroleum, not extracted from berries.
There has been significant evidence produced by the soft drink industry that sodium benzoate in the presence of citric acid or ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) can react to form benzene, a carcinogen. Because our formula contains low levels of sodium benzoate and citric acid, we recognize the potential for the production of benzene in our baby wipes. Because one of our major concerns is protecting the health of your baby, we have conducted testing to determine if benzene is being formed in our baby wipes . The results of this testing showed us that there is no detectable benzene in our baby wipes. Therefore you can continue to use Seventh Generation Baby Wipes with confidence in their safety.
great i thought i was doing somthing good for my baby
my little girl has excema and i thought that this was the best choice but know i feel as though i was miss led to belive this was a more natural way to go, possibly help relive the dry effect that other wipes with chemicals had so i really didn't do anything to help.
good alternative
Beaming Baby wipes are biodegradable and use just organic ingredients.
WELL-KNOWN CARCINOGEN
I DO URGE YOU TO RESEARCH THE FOLOWING CHEMICAL COMBIATION:
Sodium Benzoate & Citric Acid
TWO OF THE IGREDIENTS PRESENT IN THE SEVENTH GENERATIO'S CHLORINE FREE BABY WIPES...
INCLUDING POTASSIUM SORBATE.
IF I WERE YOU, I KEEP MY KID AWAY FROM THIS UNECESSARY HAZARD...
SODIUM BENZOATE + CITRIC ACID = BENZENE (commonly found in napalms, fuel additives, etc...)
Seriously???
Read before you leap....
"In combination with ascorbic acid (vitamin C, E300), sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate may form benzene[8], a known carcinogen. Heat, light and shelf life can affect the rate at which benzene is formed."
I do not see ASCORBIC ACID in the ingredients list.
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