What brands/products do you avoid and why?

[MantaRay]

Maddisun, Nestle are promoting formula in third world countries in unethical ways. This is resulting in babies dying due to formula made with contaminated water, and also mal-nutrition as the mums can't afford the formula once the free samples run out so water the formula down. It's very sad.

[Loqua]

My purchases and reasonings are similar to everyone else's listed above.

I avoid products based on unethical practices, irresponsible environmental practices, abuse of human rights and for health reasons. I check the ingredient labels and steer clear of products containing nasties. I buy locally-produced or owned products as often as possible and avoid the 'big brands'. (I'm still educating myself on the range of products owned by the large corporations such as Nestle, Coca-cola, J&J, etc - so still I mess up from time to time.)

The only thing which makes me sad about boycotting Nestle is that I love Milo and have fond memories from childhood - but I won't be purchasing it when it contributes to making someone else's childhood miserable.

I'm trying to purchase as little packaging - especially plastic - as possible. Partly because of the environmental impact and partly due to health concerns. I refuse to buy bottled water - it's a waste, and I don't want to be ingesting any of that horrible Bisphenol A. (Stainless steel water bottles do the trick nicely.) Sad that the Aussie Government won't follow Canada's example, and introduce bans on that stuff.

(Our Government sucks when it comes to regulating for the sake of protecting our health - BPA, GMO, artificial colourings/flavourings, pesticides... the list goes on.)

I don't buy nasty chemical cleaning products any more. Vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and a little good ol' fashioned elbow grease are making a comeback in this house - although, I currently share with others, so I can't control that completely.

As for personal products, I avoid those with petroleum-based ingredients and hormones. My toothpaste is also fluoride free. Instead of buying shampoo and conditioner, I now wash my hair with baking soda and rinse with vinegar, which works a treat. I also no longer purchase antiperspirant deodorant in order to avoid aluminium, using either nothing or baking soda - still in a trial phase for that one, as I have a well-ingrained paranoia about the possibility of being stinky! So far it seems to be going just fine.

There's more, but I think I've waffled on enough.

[surprised]

I have recently been buying fruit and veg at markets, but I keep coming across these dilemmas:

- I know organic costs more to produce, but I can't help wondering if they use that to their advantage and 'jack up' the prices a bit extra (ie people expect it to be expensive, so they add a bit on top)

- I wonder about the legitimacy of some of the stalls, which are clearly making a motza, and in particular if they are paying tax (because if they aren't they are essentially stealing from me!)

- it's even harder than in a supermarket to know the country of origin of produce

I'm really enjoying MooGoo products - will be ordering some more shortly. Am trying to only have MooGoo body care, bicarb & crystal deod, bicarb and vinegar for cleaning. But I still have random creams and other products, and I can't bring myself to just chuck them out - seems so wasteful.

I won't buy garlic from Mexico or China.
I try to avoid Nestle but as others have mentioned, they're everywhere!!
I buy organic if it's not much more
I try to buy Australian owned/made
I will only buy Nimbin cheese (non-animal rennet)
I pay a bit extra for electricity and get 10% renewable energy.

I wonder if the Aldi brands are any better? There's not much info on them. I believe some are made by other brands (eg Aldi baby food = made by Heinz)

[Madissun]

Surprised- The Aldi nappies are supposedly made by Huggies...I've been using them for the last 2 weeks and cant tell the difference (other than in the price )

Maybe i've missed the reason but i dont understand why Nestle are giving them the formula to begin with? What are they (the company) getting from it?

[Phteven]

Madissun, what the company gains is extra profit. If you give away 1 tin of formula and sell 50 0r 100 tins that 1 tin is a pretty good investment.

Store products are always kind of iffy because you have no way of knowing who is profiting.
I have some Palmer's moisturiser and I noticed that on the bottle they say "Palmers does not manufacture any store products". I'm not sure why but I guess that in some places they sell too there must be more awareness and concern about store products if they feel that it's worth a mention.

[Madissun]

I still dont get it

Aren't the countries that they are giving away the free ones too, to poor to purchase more?

[Willow]

I am reading this thread with interest and while I admire you all for your conviction I'm curious as to how it affects the family budget? I buy shampoo, soap etc etc from the supermarket because I can't afford the expense of the organic, chemical free stuff. Same with chicken, can't really afford free range so we buy it from the butcher.

How do you manage it?

[Inanna]

Willow it can be a struggle and you are quite right to question the expense. It is more expensive.

I have stopped eating red meat - for cruelty/spiritual reasons and for health reasons...
I only eat organic free range chicken but I use less. So, the bulk of the meal is vegetables or rice/legumes and a small portion is the chicken.

Organic yoghurt the same - rather than large scoops I use smaller amounts and larger amount of fruit added...

Cleaning products I would actually argue are cheaper. They are super concentrated and work superbly.

Shampoos are more exxy - however some supermarkets are now selling SLE free, paraben free etc products.

SLE is a vile cheap addition to products to make them foam. It is in everything. If you get in the shower use soap and shampoo that's two doses - then clean your teeth that's anotehr dose, then do the dishes that's another dose, then the washing, that's another. So on it goes. For me it's about healthy choices. We are so used to using these ingredients we often don't question it... I feel it's personally important and I hold the image of a society who shuns these toxic ingredients on mass so that toic free personal and household products are "normal"...

I try to use products that leave a light footprint - rather than a heavy one. Sometimes that costs more - for me I have that commitment so it's the norm iykwim?

[organicem]

I am reading this thread with interest and while I admire you all for your conviction I'm curious as to how it affects the family budget? I buy shampoo, soap etc etc from the supermarket because I can't afford the expense of the organic, chemical free stuff. Same with chicken, can't really afford free range so we buy it from the butcher.

How do you manage it?

As far as beauty products go, I use MiEssense and find that it lasts longer than supermarket brands so ends up costing about the same.

[Willow]

Deb - you would seriously shudder if you saw the shampoo and conditioner I use ..I guess this is something I could change. It's really only me that uses it.

Can someone recommend a good chemical free shampoo for children? Mine both have a tonne of hair but I must admit it doesn't need washing very often so shampoo lasts them a while.

[Inanna]

Willow I wouldnt shudder darling nor would I judge you we are all learning.

Natural Instinct is a great brand. A litre costs $20 and chemists sell it. It lasts forever for my kids.
If you are looking for a great shampoo "I love my Hair" is divine 500mls is about $20 but it seriously lasts months and it smells glorious!

[Bathsheba]

Willow: I use MooGoo shampoos and conditioners (made in Australia) for both myself and the kids... and DH uses it sometimes too when his psorasis gets bad. Maybe checkout the very informative MooGoo website. They say their products are as harsh as water... I don't know if that's true but it smells and works beautifully and that's all that matters to me.