Colgate-Palmolive in the McSpotlight

Colgate-Palmolive is an $8.7 billion company, which markets its products in over 200 countries. It has subsidiaries in; Angola, Colombia, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Turkey amongst others.Their main brand names include: Colgate, Palmolive, Ajax, Fab, Mennen, Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet.

Colgate-Palmove is part of the chemicals industry.

The Chemical Industry in the McSpotlight

The animal-testing issue has made a big impact on the cosmetics and toiletries market in recent years. Not only are there now a large number of small, cruelty-free companies but a number of the major brands are now also promoting themselves as cruelty-free. Avon was the first to do so in 1989. In fact, the best selling brands - Boots, Avon, Max Factor, Rimmel, Revlon, Yardley and Estee Lauder - all now claim to be 'not tested on animals'. However, it is unclear just what these claims mean, especially when in some cases, the parent company is still carrying out animal tests on ingredients and on its other brands.

Nowhere in the world is animal testing of cosmetics, toiletries or household cleaners actually required by law. In most countries the law simply states that cosmetics and toiletries must be safe for human use. Critic maintain that animal test data is only used to defend the company against consumer lawsuits.

As well as being wholly inappropriate, the continued testing of these products on animals is simply unnecessary. There are many products and ingredients already available whose safety has been demonstrated by years of use on humans.

Many of the companies producing cosmetics, toiletries, and household cleaners are also active in other industries, such as the pharmaceutical or petroleum industries. These industries are closely related due to the nature of the raw materials used in the products.

These companies are frequently criticised, not only for their use of animal is tests, but also for the polluting of rivers with hazardous waste and for the inappropriate marketing of harmful products.

Credits and References: Most of the information on this page was taken from the 'Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping'

It is not only the specific practices of individual companies that cause problems. The attitudes created by the currrent system of exploitation gives power and profits to the few, at the expense of people, animals and the environment. It is important to expose the unethical practices of specific companies as their behaviour is often indicative of the entire system.

	Supporting brutal / repressive regimes During the apartheid years, Colgate had subsidiaries in South Africa and in 1990 had a 27% share in the South African detergents market. [The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association. ]
	Exploiting employees Colgate has been criticised for anti-union practices against SINTRACOLPA, a union at one of its plants in Colombia. Included in the accusations are that the company offered higher remuneration and benefits to non-union members and then, in April and May 1990, suspended union leaders who had protested against these discriminatory measures. [The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association. ]
	Environment In March 1992 thousands of protesters took to the streets of Mexico City to protest against the polluting practices and excessive water consumption of the company's local factory. Demands for relocation of the plant to outside the city have been made by local officials amongst others and have so far been ignored. Talks with local citizens were called off in November 1991. [The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association. ]
	Abusing animals Colgate-Palmolive has animal testing undertaken for it by outside contractors. A few years ago, BUAV uncovered details of an experiment carried out for the company by Columbia University in which guinea pigs were locked into small plastic tubes and a strong solution of surfactant was applied for four hours a day for three days, causing cracked and bleeding skin on the animals. [The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association. ]

Credits and References: Most of the information in this section was taken from The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association.

Exploitation and profiteering do not need to exist. A better way of running our lives can be created based on the sharing of resources and on respect for each other and for nature. Increasingly people are questioning and challenging those with power and are seeking alternatives. Let's hope it's possible to make a difference.