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Sunday, January 6, 2008

Burts Bees- Hand Sanitizer: A natural elixir? Or Something Else?

If you don't have an online subscription to the NY Times--there was a full profile of Burt's Bees "Can Burt's Bees turn Clorox Green"-- and the issues they are encountering with the company's acquisition by Clorox.

Aside from the reporter spotlighting the trend and pervasiveness for marketers to try and position their products as 'green' or eco-friendly---it would seem that Burt's CEO John Replogle has caught the bug when it comes to hype.

During the interview by NYT's Louise Story, Replogle said: "If you can't put it into your mouth, you shouldn't put it on your skin.." needs to be taken with a big grain of salt (or a beer chaser) when considering Burt's Bees hand sanitizer product: Active Ingredient: ethyl alcohol 62%.

In 2006 the Association of Poison Control Centers reported 12,000 cases of child-related alcohol poisoning directly related to hand sanitizer products that contain alcohol. If Replogle is going to put this product into his mouth, he might want to have a beer chaser.

Think we're crazy? Click on this inspiring TV news clip

2 comments:

Marc Thibault said...

This is really poor journalism. Dial, the maker of Purell? No wonder they did not return a call. And the story of the 4 year old is true.

HandyMan said...

At least I didn't say Dial is the maker of the Purell (we know that J&J is licensing from GOJO)..hey, blame the NY Times reporter (its not my favorite publication)