P&G diapers withdrawn from market over alleged toxicity

A Pampers baby dry diaper marketed by Procter & Gamble (P&G). / Courtesy of P&G Korea

Gov't begins probe on Pampers Baby Dry

By Park Jae-hyuk

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Korea has recently been under fire for their imported diapers allegedly containing toxic chemicals. The diapers will be taken off large discount chain store shelves here, according to industry officials, Friday.

The nation's three largest discount chains ― E-mart, Home plus and Lotte Mart ― said they have decided to halt the sales of P&G Korea's Pampers baby dry diaper at both their nationwide stores and online outlets.

"The decision was made to relieve the growing concerns of our customers with babies," a Lotte Mart official said. "P&G Korea has yet to complain to us about the measures."

Last week, a French magazine 60 Million Consumers (60 Millions de Consommateurs) released a report discovering toxic chemicals in 10 diaper brands out of the 12 tested. It showed that Pampers baby dry diaper contains dioxin and insecticide, both of which are classified as deadly poisons in most countries.

As the report has gone viral among young Korean mothers via online communities, such as Momsholic Baby, consumers have continued to demand P&G Korea to refund their purchases and stop selling the product.

The Korean unit of the multinational manufacturer, however, has denied the allegations of toxicity, claiming that the amount of chemicals detected from Pampers diapers was small enough to use the product safely.

"The amount of detected chemicals was less than the safety limits of the European Unions," a P&G Korea official said. "We have tested the product to satisfy standards of global institutions."

The company also said it is not considering refunding purchases of its customers.

As the controversy over the product continues, the government said Friday that it began a safety probe on P&G diapers.

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards said it will thoroughly investigate the product to find out whether it actually contains toxic chemicals and how dangerous they are. The agency said it will randomly take samples of the products being sold in the market.

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