Consumers demand refund for ‘Downy’

South Korean consumers are demanding refunds for P&G’s fabric softener Downy in which a toxic substance was allegedly detected.

Consumers Korea announced on Tuesday that its research conducted from May to August showed that Downy Berry Berry and Downy Vanilla Cream made in Vietnam contained 98 milligrams of glutaraldehyde per kilogram, which is classified as poisonous by the local harmful chemical substance management law. 

“The substance is highly toxic, has strong disinfectant properties, and may evoke asthma or dermatitis when exposed to for a long period,” Consumers Korea said in a statement. The substance was not found in the products made in the U.S.

The U.S.-based company refuted the claim on Wednesday, saying the local law only classifies glutaraldehyde as toxic when it has over 25 percent density. In the case of the amount found in Downy, the density is meager, at 0.0098 percent.

Despite the explanation, P&G’s customer center, local marts and online shopping malls are being flooded with demands for refunds of the Downy products, even for used ones. Various online communities frequented by housewives are also abuzz about ways to get refunds.

Local marts including E-mart and Lotte Mart removed the products from their shelves on Wednesday. Unused products are refundable at the stores. Home plus, however, said that it will wait for the Korea Food and Drug Administration’s decision.

“P&G said that it requested for the KFDA’s investigation on the products, and that the results will be out in a few days. We decided that solely relying on one consumer organization’s research results may bring confusion to our customers as well as cause damage for P&G if it turns out that the products were harmless,” said a spokesperson for Home plus.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)