Pinkwashing

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. And now there's a term to cover companies that profess to be supportive of Breast Cancer research, but....are they really? There are often mixed messages,  here.

The most glaring is this article:
http://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/procter_and_gamble_breast_cancer

Here, we find that although Proctor and Gamble, maker of so many personal care products used by women (such as Cover Girl, Tide, Pantene and Herbal Essence) is trying to appear supportive of the breast cancer research ideal, but....no muscle behind it. True, they have apparently pledged to donate $100,000 to fighting breast cancer this year. But they have taken NO action on taking carcinogens out of their own products.

BHA, amongst others in their products, is one of the "toxic ten". Instead of focusing on making their products safer for women to use, they are throwing money at the problem and hoping we, the public, think they are "the good guys." Do read the entire article.

And they're not the only ones jumping on the "let's support women with breast cancer" bandwagon.

The CBC has done an article on how big markets take advantage of this opportunity to sell more products to women. Often by offensive means. Read the entire article here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/pinkwashing-a-big-business-for-marketers-1.2775188

For example, KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) was chosen to be a sponsor of Breast Cancer awareness. Yet, their product (the chicken) likely contributes to obesity in North America, and, obesity is a factor in breast cancer itself.

The article profiles a few other companies that have partnered with "the cause" yet more or less objectify women, and their breasts.

Beware pinkwashing. Think before you buy.