Proctor & Gamble - Avoid This Company- Their Are Good Alternatives

[Deanne]

Here is an email response I got from Proctor and Gamble after I requested a list of gluten free products from them and I also was concerned with cross contamination:

Subject

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I am looking for gluten free makeup. This includes no cross contamination. Do...

Discussion Thread

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Response (RightNow Administrator) - 01/19/2007 10:59 AM

Thanks for contacting us.

As someone who suffers from allergies, I certainly appreciate why you're interested in ingredient information. In our Consumer Relations office, we're provided with the same ingredient information that you see on product packages. For that reason - and for your safety - we request physicians write to us with very specific information so that we can have it researched as thoroughly as possible.

Your doctor may send a written request on office letterhead to:

Consumer Relations

PO Box 599

Cincinnati OH 45201

Attn:

Be sure to clearly indicate the full product name, fragrance, color/shade as written on the product which interests you.

Once we receive your doctor's request, we'll research your inquiry and hope to provide a response in approximately four weeks.

Please understand that we have your best interest at heart by following a strict process for ingredient information requests. If your doctor is anything like mine, he or she will be more than happy to send the letter.

We appreciate your patience.

Customer - 01/14/2007 02:19 PM

I am looking for gluten free makeup. This includes no cross contamination. Do you have a list of gluten free makeup?

Thanks

Auto-Response - 01/14/2007 02:19 PM

Title: Buy direct?

Link: Open Original Shared Link

Title: Info CG E-Store order

Link: Open Original Shared Link

Title: Using CG Advanced Radiance different from other foundations?

Link: Open Original Shared Link

Question Reference #070114-001608

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Product Level 1: Cover Girl

Category Level 1: What's in it?/Ingredients

Date Created: 01/14/2007 02:19 PM

Last Updated: 01/19/2007 10:59 AM

Product Name:

Product Version:

[---001:001982:53987---]

Soooooooooooooo for them it is way too difficult just to provide a gluten free list and to address cross contamination. Instead they try to disenchant you and reduce the number of inquiries by first requiring a letter from your doctor. How many docs have time to send letters to manufacturers and how much is that going to cost the patient? This tactic is pretty bad and I suggest you not purchase their products and vote with your pocket book how you feel about their tactics. Call or write them and let them know this sort of response is costing them.

The best response I have had is with Bonnie Bell. They actually will email you a list and when I asked about cross contamination they immediately patched me through to Paul their head chemist of 19 yrs. I guess he takes two calls a day from people around the world about gluten. He said because of all the calls he changed the formulas to be gluten free and said it was no big deal. He also said it made some of them more stable. After talking with him I feel confident that their is no problem with cross contamination and I am a stickler about this issue. Here is the list they emailed me and I would encourage you to check this out for yourself. I was very impressed with this company and it's approach:

I don't feel so stuck anymore do you?

November, 2004

Dear:

Thank you for your recent inquiry to Bonne Bell. We are always glad to hear from our customers, and we want to help you in any way possible.

The following Bonne Bell, Inc. products can be used by people afflicted with Celiac disease. They do not contain any gluten containting grains: wheat, barley, rye, oats, amaranth, teff, millet, spelt, and quinoa.

10-0-6 Lotions

All Colognes

Lip Lites

Lip Enticements

Lip Fashion

Sponge-On Sparklers

Shower 2000

Lip Lix

Lip Gear Lip Crayons

Eye Shades

No Shine Oil Control Makeup

Lip Shades with SPF 15

Lip Sheers

Nail Lacquers

Cosmic Cheeks

Lash Tints

Glimmer Gels

Roll-On Lip Smacker Shiners and Shimmers

Roll-On Glitter Gloss

Lip Gear (Matte only)

Lip Shox

Eye D

[Viola 1]

Thanks for this Deanne .... Good for Bonne Bell, I'll give them my business

[jesscarmel]

thats ridiculous they would ask for a doctor to write a note!!! alot of companies have gluten free lists like aveda, mac, laura mercier and NARS who all sell make up.

[Guhlia]

Does anyone out there have A LOT of spare time on their hands? It would be funny if someone got a note from their doctor and requested every single product and color available. Just to be a pain, of course.

[Viola 1]

Does anyone out there have A LOT of spare time on their hands? It would be funny if someone got a note from their doctor and requested every single product and color available. Just to be a pain, of course.

I wish I didn't have two jobs already, or I would try it. I have a celiac doctor who would even write me the letter.

But unfortunately, I don't even have as much time here on the board as I would like.

[quantumsugar]

What a funny idea... every product. And... goodness and gracious, that's a terrible response from a company. What doctor wants to spend their time writing product inquiries to different companies? Heck, I don't even like to do it. Thanks for the Bonne Bell information, too. It's nice to know they're so good about it all.

[happygirl]

I actually got a similar response from Dove this summer. NOT in regards to gluten, but in regards to corn, which I was reacting to at the time. They said because of proprietary info, they were only required to tell people about the 8 main allergens, and anything after that, I would have to have a doctor's note, with the products, etc etc (as mentioned above) before they could release any of the info to me. Yeah I wasn't a happy camper.

[2Boys4Me]

All you really need is a doctor's letterhead. No reason to get the doctor involved.

[debmidge]

thats ridiculous they would ask for a doctor to write a note!!! alot of companies have gluten free lists like aveda, mac, laura mercier and NARS who all sell make up.

I agree...this isn't a prescription so why should I get my doctor to write to them....that is an unreasonable request by P&G. They know that doctor's don't have time for that so that gets them off the information hook.

Perhaps we write to them saying, I'm not a Dr. but I play one on TV or something like that. Or sign the letter "Debmidge's Doctor."

It burns me up because we are intelligent enough to do the asking for ourselves, we don't need an MD as an intermediary.

[debmidge]

Does anyone out there have A LOT of spare time on their hands? It would be funny if someone got a note from their doctor and requested every single product and color available. Just to be a pain, of course.

Gee, maybe they should be worried that WE need a Dr.'s note to SPEND OUR MONEY on them!

"I'm sorry, I cannot buy your products (all of them) unless I have a doctor's note."

[jkmunchkin]

Although getting statements like this is annoying, do you realize how many products and brands P&G makes?

I think if you are more specific about a particular brand / product, or write to that brand directly you might get a better response. Then again maybe not. But sometimes I think we are to quick to condemn a company for not giving us the response we want. Atleast they are willing to research it thoroughly.

[PennyG]

Although getting statements like this is annoying, do you realize how many products and brands P&G makes?

I think if you are more specific about a particular brand / product, or write to that brand directly you might get a better response. Then again maybe not. But sometimes I think we are to quick to condemn a company for not giving us the response we want. Atleast they are willing to research it thoroughly.

I called P & G to ask about corn derivatives in Secret Platinum Invisible Solid and got a similiar response -- have your doctor call us to discuss whether you are allergic to any of the ingredients. I would boycott them but they also carry other products that are corn-free, which no one else carries, that I need.

It's too bad they are so "secretive".

[Yenni]

Does anyone out there have A LOT of spare time on their hands? It would be funny if someone got a note from their doctor and requested every single product and color available. Just to be a pain, of course.

:lol: