Formerly “The Dirty Dozen”
Knowing what’s in the products we bring into our living spaces, we’re better equipped to protect our health, our families, our communities and the planet.
Many everyday products contain toxic ingredients that can harm our health and the planet’s.
What happened to “The Dirty Dozen”?
This work builds on David Suzuki Foundation research that investigated cosmetic ingredients in 2010. Since then, a lot has changed. More personal care products are on the market. And many harmful chemicals also show up in food, household cleaners, packaging and everyday items.
Adapting to the evolving toxins landscape, we retired the “Dirty Dozen” name. Now we can keep updating resources as new information emerges and regulations change. (We hope to see the list of toxic ingredients shrink not grow!)
Our goal is the same — to continue providing knowledge and solutions so you can make safer, healthier choices.
The power of knowing what’s in your stuff
Making informed decisions matters. Every purchase is an opportunity to reduce toxic chemical exposure and support companies working toward safer, sustainable alternatives. Knowing what’s in the products we bring into our living spaces, we’re better equipped to protect our health, our families, our communities and the planet.
These choices also send a powerful message to industries and policy-makers: we want stricter regulations on toxins.
While many consumers look at product labels for information on risks, they often have difficulty obtaining information on ingredients of concern.
Canadians’ Habits and Preferences in Relation to Labelling of Products for Information on Chemicals and Sustainability report, 2022
Twelve toxic ingredients to avoid
Understanding food, body care and cleaning eco-certifications and labels
Food, body care and cleaning product labels often say “natural,” “sustainable” or “biodegradable.” These terms are not regulated in Canada. A product with these words but without a reputable ecolabel can give people a false sense of environmental responsibility. This makes it difficult to differentiate between actual sustainable products and those that only appear to be.
