FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PCC Natural Markets is first U.S. retailer to sign on to Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Seattle, Wash., May 3, 2007 — PCC Natural Markets, the nation's largest consumer owned natural foods cooperative, is the first retailer in the United States to endorse the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
The goal of the campaign is to protect the health of consumers and workers by requiring the health and beauty industry to phase out the use of chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems, and to replace them with safer alternatives. The campaign was started a few years ago by a coalition of groups including the Breast Cancer Fund, the Environmental Working Group, and the National Environmental Trust.
By endorsing the campaign, PCC renews its commitment to work with its manufacturers to make certain that all cosmetics and personal care products sold will be free of chemicals known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation, or birth defects. PCC also encourages other retailers to make the same commitment.
PCC has completed a preliminary screening of personal care products that shows that none of the products sold at PCC are in the high concern "red zone" category, according to the Skin Deep Web site, provided by the Environmental Working Group. Consumers can go to the site, as PCC has done, type in a product or brand name, and see how products they use are evaluated for safety.
Twenty-six of the brands sold by PCC have signed on to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics*, and PCC has notified all of its personal care manufacturers that if they do not sign on to the campaign, or comply with the campaign's criteria, within three years as specified by the campaign, they will be discontinued from PCC's product line.
"Consumers should know that they can buy personal care products that can be trusted to meet the most stringent standards," says PCC's Health and Beauty Aids Merchandiser Wendy McLain.
For more information see A Campaign for Safer Bodycare, the May cover story of the Sound Consumer, a publication of PCC Natural Markets, available at any PCC store or online.
*PCC vendors who have signed on to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to-date:
Aroma Naturals
Aubrey
Avalon Organics
W.S. Badger
Burt's Bees
California Baby
Clearly Natural
Crystal Deodorant
Derma E
Dr. Bronners
Ecco Bella
EO
Honeybee Gardens
Jason
Kiss My Face
Lamas Beauty
Larenim
Logona
Moon Valley
Mountain Ocean
MyChelle
Simplers
Suki
UV Natural
Weleda
Zia Skincare
About PCC Natural Markets: Headquartered in Seattle, WA, PCC Natural Markets is a certified organic retail cooperative with annual sales of $105 million and an active membership of nearly 40,000 households. PCC operates eight stores in the Seward Park, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Fremont, Kirkland, Redmond, and Issaquah neighborhoods. - www.pccnaturalmarkets.com
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - www.safecosmetics.org
Skin Deep - www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep
Environmental Working Group - www.ewg.org
Breast Cancer Fund - www.breastcancerfund.org