Pretty Little Thing is being criticised after admitting their products may contain cancerous chemicals

24 September 2019, 17:22

prettylittlething model and warning.
prettylittlething model and warning. Picture: @prettylittlething via Instagram, www.prettylittlething.com
Jazmin Duribe

By Jazmin Duribe

"The ugly truth about fast fashion and cheap clothes."

Pretty Little Thing customers are warning other shoppers off of the brand after discovering some "alarming" chemicals in their products that may cause cancer and birth defects.

READ MORE: Pretty Little Thing has been accused of taking the labels out of cheaper clothes and reselling them

A message about the chemicals on Pretty Little Thing's website reads: "WARNING: Some Products on our Online Store from time to time may contain chemicals that are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm and may be included on the Proposition 65 chemical list."

via GIPHY

Although Pretty Little Thing are a UK-based company, Proposition 65 of the Safe Drinking and Toxic Enforcement Act 1986 requires that companies notify their customers of potentially harmful chemicals if they want to sell their products in California.

READ MORE: PrettyLittleThing is selling a bikini that can't actually be worn in water

The list of chemicals includes natural and synthetic substances found in pesticides, common household products, food, drugs, dyes, or solvents. However, the level of risk it poses to the consumer varies and even if the chance of developing cancer is low, the warning still must be given.

Understandably, Pretty Little Thing shoppers were a little worried about the possibility of harmful materials being used in their clothing.

The brand tried to respond to the backlash on Twitter by posting links to Proposition 65 beneath frantic replies, while others defended the clothing company and noted that Pretty Little Thing weren't the only brand to issue the warning.

In a statement to The Sun, a Pretty Little Thing spokeswoman has now said: "All companies that sell products to customers in California are legally required to comply with California’s Proposition 65 legislation. Proposition 65 requires companies to make customers in California aware that certain products may contain traces of chemicals.

"PLT works closely with its suppliers to ensure that the requirements relating to Proposition 65 are met. Including a general warning on our US website is a step commonly taken by companies selling products in California."