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ACCC recalls children's and women's clothing over carcinogenic fabric dye ACCC recalls children's and women's clothing over carcinogenic fabric dye
(4 months later)
The Australian competition and consumer commission (ACCC) has recalled more lines of clothing – this time from Target children’s and women’s wear – that contain a carcinogenic fabric dye.The Australian competition and consumer commission (ACCC) has recalled more lines of clothing – this time from Target children’s and women’s wear – that contain a carcinogenic fabric dye.
The ACCC has recalled eight product lines – numbering about 121,000 items – since it first warned of the hazardous aromatic amines (Azo dyes) in March.The ACCC has recalled eight product lines – numbering about 121,000 items – since it first warned of the hazardous aromatic amines (Azo dyes) in March.
The consumer watchdog has been testing jeans and bedding after a recommendation from the national industrial chemicals notification and assessment scheme (NICNAS). The synthetic dye is widely used but some forms can be hazardous to human health as it can break down into carcinogenic chemicals.The consumer watchdog has been testing jeans and bedding after a recommendation from the national industrial chemicals notification and assessment scheme (NICNAS). The synthetic dye is widely used but some forms can be hazardous to human health as it can break down into carcinogenic chemicals.
When the ACCC found a minority of tested items from clothing and bedding companies contained the hazardous dye at higher than acceptable levels, the companies were asked to recall the products. All complied immediately, said the ACCC, including Target. When the ACCC found a minority of tested items from clothing and bedding companies contained the hazardous dye at higher than acceptable levels, the companies were asked to recall the products. All complied immediately, said the ACCC, including Target.
“Target Australia is initiating this action as it does not meet Target Australia strict quality assurance standards,” the company’s recall notice said.“Target Australia is initiating this action as it does not meet Target Australia strict quality assurance standards,” the company’s recall notice said.
“Whilst this dye stuff is not banned for textile use in Australia, expert authorities classify these azo-colourants as carcinogens. Exposure to these chemicals should be minimised.”“Whilst this dye stuff is not banned for textile use in Australia, expert authorities classify these azo-colourants as carcinogens. Exposure to these chemicals should be minimised.”
Thursday’s recall from Target applies to three styles of children’s pants and two styles of women’s jeans, and comes after warnings for clothing from national retailers including Rivers, Just Jeans, Myer and Trade Secret, as well as for pillow cases from Pillow Talk.Thursday’s recall from Target applies to three styles of children’s pants and two styles of women’s jeans, and comes after warnings for clothing from national retailers including Rivers, Just Jeans, Myer and Trade Secret, as well as for pillow cases from Pillow Talk.
“The evidence available to the ACCC from testing does not suggest there is a widespread problem,” the ACCC deputy chairwoman, Delia Rickard, said at the time.“The evidence available to the ACCC from testing does not suggest there is a widespread problem,” the ACCC deputy chairwoman, Delia Rickard, said at the time.
“Many Australian suppliers have systems in place to avoid particular dyes being used by manufacturers overseas,” she said.“Many Australian suppliers have systems in place to avoid particular dyes being used by manufacturers overseas,” she said.
There are no specific regulations relating to the Azo dyes, but the ACCC was working with government and stakeholders on a regulation impact statement, a spokesman told Guardian Australia.There are no specific regulations relating to the Azo dyes, but the ACCC was working with government and stakeholders on a regulation impact statement, a spokesman told Guardian Australia.
“The ACCC has considered how to best manage the ongoing issue of dyed articles containing hazardous aromatic amines longer term and made recommendations to government,” he said in a statement.“The ACCC has considered how to best manage the ongoing issue of dyed articles containing hazardous aromatic amines longer term and made recommendations to government,” he said in a statement.
“On 24 April, 2014, the minister [Bruce Billson] activated a process to assess whether further regulation is required to address the potential hazards associated with hazardous dyes in clothing and textile articles.”“On 24 April, 2014, the minister [Bruce Billson] activated a process to assess whether further regulation is required to address the potential hazards associated with hazardous dyes in clothing and textile articles.”