HORRIFIED shoppers have hit out at Pretty Little Thing after the online fashion retailer warned their products could kill.
The Manchester-based firm states on its website that products may contain chemicals “known…to cause cancer and birth defects”.
The company today admitted that the dramatic warning on its UK website is a requirement of Californian law and appears because American customers can buy from the UK site.
But the message has horrified and alarmed many customers in Britain, some of whom took to social media to demand a proper explanation.
The notice 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.”
Becca Monaghan tweeted a picture of Pretty Little Things terms and conditions with the caption: “Pretty Little Thing casually announcing on their T&Cs that some products may contain chemicals associated with causing cancer and birth defects?”
@Ljemmmm did the same, writing: “Okay but what the actual f***? Saw this online so looked for myself and I’m actually disgusted. @OfficialPLT please explain how you think this is okay?”
And Charlotte Lilley said: “Just saw this on @OfficialPLT website. It’s really buried down the bottom of the T&Cs page.
Why are #PrettyLittleThing allowed to sell products that may contain chemicals known to cause cancer?”
Harriet Wright added: “Very alarming that Pretty Little Thing are selling clothing that have chemicals in which are known to cause cancer and birth defects and burying this information at the bottom of their Terms and Conditions.”
Proposition 65 or the Safe Drinking and Toxic Enforcement Act 1986 is Californian legislation that requires companies who sell to Californians to notify their customers of the presence of certain chemicals in their products.
However, the level of risk can vary and even if the chance of developing cancer is as low as 2 in 100,000, the warning must still be provided.
The list of chemicals requiring disclosure to consumers include natural and synthetic substances found in pesticides, common household products, food, drugs, dyes, or solvents.
Some social media users were less concerned by the message.
Mairead Hudson said: “A good 98% of products have a ‘cancer risk’ and most of the time it’s very minute and pretty much will not happen ever, they have to legally do that, you’d get p***** if it wasn’t there.”
The brand, who recently secured Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague as an ambassador, maintain the notice is standard practice.
They explained that the warning was in place for the benefit of American customers who can buy from the British website.
A Pretty Little Thing spokeswoman 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.”
