Pantene Requires Doctor's Letter!

[burdee]

In my search for an allergy free shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair, I bought some Pantene shampoo and conditioner yesterday. The ingredients didn't appear to contain any of my allergies. However, after my painful reaction experience with Loreal's soy laced shampoo, I wanted to verify the ingredients. So I called the company and asked whether that shampoo contained wheat, egg, soy, vanilla or nutmeg. I usually don't see dairy or cane sugar included in shampoo ingredients.

The customer service rep told me that one listed ingredient, 'fragrance', could contain either of my spice allergens. I asked her whether she knew for sure what that 'fragrance' contained. She told me that I would need to ask my doctor to write on his 'letterhead' to Pantene and confirm that I had my diagnosed allergies. Then he could request ingredient information about the 'fragrance' or any other ingredient listed on specific hair care products. I told the rep that my doctor might email them, but not snail mail that request. The rep said they would accept a fax on my doctor's letterhead.

Then I told the rep that requiring every celiac or person with food allergies to ask their doctor to write companies to verify product ingredients ingredients was outrageous to say the least. Most companies will gladly verify whether their product contains my allergens. I don't need my doctor to testify that I actually have my diagnosed allergens in order to get the information I need. So I told the Pantene rep that I would no longer consider any of their products. I also said that I would inform many people with food allergens that Pantene is very uncooperative.

Pantene may believe they can sell more products by protecting their 'trade secret' product ingredients. However, most people with food allergies dislike companies that won't readily verify whether products contain their food allergens. Pantene may not realize how many people in this country have food allergies.

SUE

PS Fortunately I found another shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair. The ShiKai customer service rep was very honest and helpful. She told me their regular products contain soy. However she suggested their 'natural hair care' line which includes a shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair. She verified that it contained none of my allergens. She also told me that other health food stores would carry the natural hair care line. I learned that both my local Whole Foods and PCC stores carry those products.

[jerseyangel]

burdee,

Is that the Natural Color Care Shampoo or the Color Reflect? Thanks

Yes, Proctor and Gamble is notoriously uncooperative when it comes to discussing allergens/gluten. I will not use their products.

[burdee]

burdee,

Is that the Natural Color Care Shampoo or the Color Reflect? Thanks

Yes, Proctor and Gamble is notoriously uncooperative when it comes to discussing allergens/gluten. I will not use their products.

Natural Color Care Shampoo in their Natural Hair Care line. The Color Reflect contains soy to which I have a diagnosed allergy. I'm still reacting (cramping gut pain and bloating from swallowing a bit of shampoo which contained 'tocopherol', often derived from soy.

SUE

[jerseyangel]

Natural Color Care Shampoo in their Natural Hair Care line. The Color Reflect contains soy to which I have a diagnosed allergy. I'm still reacting (cramping gut pain and bloating from swallowing a bit of shampoo which contained 'tocopherol', often derived from soy.

SUE

Thanks!

[Mskedi]

I used to actively boycott all Proctor and Gamble products (which is no small feat, let me tell you -- they're ubiquitous!). Since my much more politically energetic college days, I've let a few products slip back in (Gillette is the only one I can think of, but I'm sure there are more). This post reminds me of why I stopped purchasing their products to begin with.

[burdee]

I used to actively boycott all Proctor and Gamble products (which is no small feat, let me tell you -- they're ubiquitous!). Since my much more politically energetic college days, I've let a few products slip back in (Gillette is the only one I can think of, but I'm sure there are more). This post reminds me of why I stopped purchasing their products to begin with.

Today I considered an 'Herbal Essence' shampoo for color treated hair until I noticed that was also made by Proctor and Gamble. I contacted (by email) the Herbal Essence site and requested ingredient info about their product. I suspect I'll probably get the same runaround I did with the Pantene product. Meanwhile I picked up some Shikai shampoo and conditioner.

SUE

[mushroom]

And they actually have the nerve to call her a customer service rep.