SC Johnson has been hit with a class action lawsuit claiming that Method cleaning products contain harmful and toxic ingredients.
Method cleaning products are reportedly marketed as “non-toxic,” allowing SC Johnson to charge a premium price for these cleaners. However, these representations are false, according to allegations from California resident Felicia Toth.
Toth says she purchased several Method cleaning products which stated that they were “non-toxic.” The plaintiff allegedly relied on these representations when choosing a cleaning product, but was shocked to find out that the products actually contained several toxic ingredients.
The lawsuit explains that an increasing number of consumers specifically look for non-toxic products to use in their daily lives. This includes cleaning products, as consumers want more natural, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional household cleaners.
As a result of this demand, a non-toxic household products market has developed. Products sold in this category are often sold with representations that they are “non-toxic” and “plant based.”
The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, has established new guidelines to help standardize these representations and to “help marketers avoid making environmental marketing claims that are unfair or deceptive.”
Under FTC regulations, “it is deceptive to misrepresent, directly or by implication, that a product, package or service is non-toxic” and “a non-toxic claim likely conveys that a product, package, or service is non-toxic for humans and for the environment generally.”
The FTC says that, when making “non-toxic” claims, marketers must have reliable scientific evidence or “should clearly and prominently qualify their claims to avoid deception.”
Unfortunately, SC Johnson allegedly fails to comply with these requirements when marketing their Method household cleaner.
Contrary to their claims, the products reportedly contain a variety of cleaning agents which disqualify the cleaners from making a “non-toxic” claim, including: dipropylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, linalool, methylisothiazolinone, limonene and octylisothiazolinone.
Dipropylene glycol is a synthetic ingredient which is allegedly used as a fragrance in Method household cleaner, Squirt and Mop Floor Cleaner, and Granite Cleaner. This ingredient has reportedly been show to cause temporary eye irritation when exposed to the eyes.
Phenoxyethanol is another synthetic ingredient found in various Method cleaning products including Squirt and Mop Floor Cleaner and Steel for Real cleaner. This ingredient can reportedly cause irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. When swallowed, phenoxyethanol has reportedly been show to have “deleterious” effects on the nervous system which could lead to “impaired functions.”
Linalool, found in the Method household cleaner and Squirt and Mop floor cleaner, can reportedly cause serious eye damage in addition to irritating the skin and eyes. Toth notes that this ingredient can also have negative environmental effects by harming aquatic life.
Method cleaning products, including Squirt and Mop floor cleaner, Steel for Real cleaner and Daily Granite cleaner, allegedly contain methylisothiazolinone. In 2013, this ingredient was reportedly named the Allergen of the Year and “has exhibited skin sensitization effects and may also cause systemic acute toxicity and local effects such as eczema and contact allergy reactions.”
Limonene, allegedly found in the Method household cleaner, Steel for Real cleaner, and Daily Granite cleaner, is reportedly used to substitute significantly toxic ingredients such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons and other solvents.
However, this ingredient reportedly also has negative effects including skin irritation characterized by burning, itching, aching, and a long lasting rash.
The last ingredient called out by the class action lawsuit, octylisothiazolinone, is found as a preservative in the Method Daily Granite cleaner. Unfortunately, this ingredient can allegedly cause toxic effects to marine and sediment dwelling life.
Toth argues that the inclusion of these ingredients disqualifies Method cleaning products from the “non-toxic” label.
Unfortunately, the plaintiff says that most consumers would be unable to identify these ingredients as potential toxins, meaning that they could be misled by the product packaging which touts the cleaners as “non-toxic.”
“The Product’s ‘non-toxic’ claim signifies to reasonable consumers that the Products will not be harmful to people (including small children), common pets or the environment,” the Method cleaning products class action lawsuit argues.
“A reasonable consumer’s understanding of ‘will not harm’ is not limited to toxins that cause death but ‘also various types of temporary physical illness, such as vomiting, rash and gastrointestinal upset.’”
As a result of these claims, Toth and other consumers have allegedly been injured financially as they would not have purchased the products or would have paid significantly less had they been aware of the toxic contents of the products.
Have you purchased Method cleaning products? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
Toth and the proposed Class are represented by Michael R. Reese and George V. Granade of Reese LLP and Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC.
The Method Cleaning Products Class Action Lawsuit is Felicia Toth v. SC Johnson & Son Inc., et al., Case No. 3:20-cv-03553, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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1,167 thoughts onMethod Class Action Says Cleaning Products Are Toxic
I’ve been using this cleaning supplies for my home especially the hand soap
I have purchased countless Method products for my personal home as well as for my vacation rentals. My guests expect a clean, non toxic environment for their families. This is very disappointing to me. Consumers have the right to know what they are buying.
Wow SCJohnson lies about cleaning products I wonder what they will lie about when they make this new covid vaccine! Definitely wont be buy anything with their name on it anymore! Shame on you
So sad as a mom who tries to provide a safe and healthy environment for my family and companies like scj fraudulently represent products like this taking advantage of the consumer.
They use synthetic fragrance which over 4 decades has proven toxic lung and nervous system irritants. Green washing product.
A couple months ago I switched from Better Life cleaners to Method, as my lock store stopped carrying BL (which was the best natural cleaner ever!) Shortly thereafter, my 4 year old twins developed physical symptoms consistent with irritation/contact burns on their hands and feet. I suspected the products, but this confirms it. I’m so angry! SCJ should be ashamed, and I’ll be sure to spread the word.
I buy the product of all the time thinking it’s safe for my kids and animals. Soo sad. I will be throwing this product away.
I use these products all the time this is very disappointing and missleading!
I use this.product and would like to be included in the class action.
How disappointing! I buy Method all the time because I thought they are more eco-friendly and non-animal tested. Love the way the smell too!
I have used Method for a few years now because of their claims that they are non-toxic. To say I am disappointed and upset is an understatement. This is blatant lying.
I buy Method cleaner all the time and have for years due to the claims of it being a non-toxic cleaner. This is the only reason I buy it. If I had known I never would have purchased it. I would have bought the cheaper ones that I know contain toxic chemicals. Guess I won’t be buying Method any longer. Very disappointed