Breast Cancer Action's "Raise a Stink!" Campaign Demands a Halt to Pinkwashing

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Breast Cancer Action (BCAction), the respected watchdog of the breast cancer movement, today announced their "Raise a Stink!" campaign, which urges Susan G. Komen for the Cure to immediately recall their commissioned Promise Me perfume.

BCAction warns that Promise Me contains chemicals not listed on the label that: (a) are regulated as toxic and hazardous, (b) have not been adequately evaluated for human safety, and, (c) have demonstrated negative health effects. This is "pinkwashing!"

Coined by BCAction in 2002, "Pinkwashing" describes a company or organization that claims to care about breast cancer by promoting a pink ribbon product, but simultaneously produces and/or sells products linked to the disease.

"Pinkwashing puts profits before women's lives," BCAction Executive Director Karuna Jaggar said. "We are deeply concerned that a perfume that can harm women's health is being sold in the name of breast cancer. When women's lives are at stake we need rigorous precautionary standards: when in doubt, leave it out!"

Independent laboratory testing conducted on behalf of BCAction identified two troubling ingredients: Galaxolide is a synthetic musk that works as a hormone disruptor and has been detected in blood, breast milk, and newborns; and Toluene, a potent neurotoxicant known widely as one of the toxic trio, has demonstrated negative health effects and is banned by the International Fragrance Association.

When BCAction contacted Komen about the lab results, Komen said they were working with the manufacturer to reformulate the perfume "to remove any doubt about the ingredients."

"We welcome Komen's effort to ensure this product is safe," Jaggar said. "But while Komen reformulates, a pink ribbon product that may be harmful to women's health is still in women's homes and being sold in stores."

BCAction's "Raise a Stink!" campaign urges everyone to write to Komen to demand they immediately recall the perfume and sign BCAction's "Pledge to Prevent Pinkwashing." "Raise a Stink!" is part of Breast Cancer Action's larger Think Before You Pink® campaign which encourages consumers to take action against pinkwashing, and ask critical questions about pink ribbon promotions.

Breast Cancer Action (www.bcaction.org)—a national non-profit education and advocacy organization refuses to accept funding from pharmaceutical companies or any other organizations that profit from or contribute to the breast cancer epidemic.

Contact:  Angela Wall, Communications Manager (415) 243-9301 x16 [email protected]

SOURCE Breast Cancer Action