Honest Company, Jessica Alba’s consumer products company, has proven itself to be less and less honest over time. It appeared to be a successful unicorn, on its way to an initial public offering (IPO). A voluntary recall of baby powder because of possible contamination has hurt that.
Honest was lauded a year ago for outpacing revenue projections and reaching a $1.7 billion valuation. The effects of this have been washed away.
This is not Honest’s first run in with ingredient issues. Last year The Wall Street Journal reported that one of its laundry detergents contained sodium lauryl sulfate, a commercial chemical substance used in products made by competitors. Alba had promised Honest would stay away from any substances other than “all natural” ingredients.
The new voluntary recall will not trigger that kind of outrage and legal action as the laundry detergent one. However, the company’s credibility over its products is now shot.
The company’s note about the new recall read:
The Honest Company is recalling all lots of Organic Baby Powder. This product is distributed in the United States in 4 oz containers, UPC #817810014529.
This product is being recalled due to possible contamination with microorganisms, including some species associated with skin infections or eye infections. The product may therefore present a possible health risk. The Honest Company is voluntarily recalling this product out of an abundance of caution.
No other products of The Honest Company are impacted by this recall.
Its “Peace of Mind” pledge:
Parents have more than enough to worry about. You can sleep easy (between night feedings) knowing our products are made without potentially harmful ingredients. We love to do what we do and like to have fun, but we’re serious about sustainability and our impact on the Earth.
So much for the pledge, and the chance that Honest will be sold for or go public at anything close to $1.7 billion.
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