Is Ignorance Bliss? – Do Consumers want to know about the products they buy?

Do you use toothpaste?

Well on behalf of those of us who have to interact with you I would certainly hope that the answer to that question is a resounding yes!

Recently a news report highlighted that recent research had revealed that a chemical linked to cancer has been found in a prominent brand of toothpaste.

The chemical is called triclosan and although it had been approved as an ingredient as far back as 1997, there seems to be some confusion as to how it affects consumers after long term exposure.

The local company that sells the product has declared it safe and as of the writing of this blog, no recalls have been issued and the toothpaste remains on the shelves of supermarkets islandwide.

I found it amazing though how many people do not want to know about the danger of the ingredients in the products that they buy. Even when informed of the risk of certain ingredients many consumers seem to buy into the, ‘Don’t ask , don’t tell’ mentality.

When I asked my friends if they would stop using the brand of toothpaste in question, their response was that everything seems to be linked to cancer these days.

Then there are the alarmists who promise to return to the days of the chewstick!

Are there other things that we have in products that are suspect? Well after researching on the Internet for a while, I found out that perhaps it would have been better not to know what was in some of my favourite products.

For example, brominated vegetable oil is an ingredient in my favourite soda and is used in order to preserve its flavour.

Do you know what else that particular oil is also used for?

It is used in hair dyes, hot tub chemicals and pesticides.Sounds delicious!

Dimethylpolysiloxane is another ingredient I found out that I have placed in my body unknowingly. That’s quite a mouthful isn’t it? It is found in the oil used to fry french fries as well as chewing gum and shampoo.

So is ignorance better than being informed of the ingredients in the products we use or eat? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner Online Writer

Tags: consumer awareness