Behind the label: talcum powder

Pat Thomas

13th April, 2010

Keeping your baby's bottom soft and dry shouldn't mean exposing it to a potentially harmful and environmentally costly substance more...

Behind the Label: head lice treatments

Pat Thomas

11th February, 2010

Faced with an itchy young head full of nits, it's all too easy to reach for a bottle of potent chemicals. But is smothering your child's hair in pesticides really the best solution? more...

Behind the Label: chewing gum

Pat Thomas

12th January, 2010

For whatever reason you choose to chew it, this plastic, potentially toxic mish-mash of ingredients is bad for the environment and bad for us more...

Behind the Label: nail polish

Pat Thomas

26th November, 2009

It may look pretty, but the unmistakable odour of nail polish betrays a cocktail of toxic ingredients more...

Behind the Label: better booze

Pat Thomas

16th November, 2009

If you don't know what's gone into making your drink, stick to organic beer and wine this Christmas, says Pat Thomas

more...

Behind the Label: Calpol

Pat Thomas

29th October

The season of flu (and fear of swine flu) is upon us. But before you reach for this sticky pink cocktail dished out by doctors and parents as a cure-all for children, think again... more...

Behind the Label: nanosilver

Pat Thomas

20th October, 2009

The powerful antibacterial nanosilver can now be found in everything from air fresheners and food packaging to babies' bottles and bandages. But has anyone looked at the risks? more...

Behind the Label: Pot Noodle

Pat Thomas

22nd September, 2009

Marketed as the ultimate quick food fix, 240 Pot Noodles are eaten every minute in Britain. But what exactly is in the 'slag of all snacks'? Pat Thomas on fats, salt and flavour enhancers more...

Behind the Label: Alli (Orlistat)

Pat Thomas

26th August, 2009

It's the popular, over-the-counter diet drug that's now been linked to liver damage. But popping a 'weight loss' pill is not going to solve the obesity crisis - especially with health concerns like these - says Pat Thomas
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Behind the Label: cut flowers

Pat Thomas

18th August, 2009

What's the real price of your bouquet? Pat Thomas dishes the dirt on cut flower production in less-industrialised countries more...

Behind the Label: orange juice

Pat Thomas

13th July, 2009

Is orange juice as healthy and natural as it claims to be? Can it ever be 'eco'? Pat Thomas reports more...

Behind the Label: tinned tuna

Pat Thomas

23rd June, 2009

You may think that by avoiding the near-extinct bluefin you're off the hook and can tuck into other types of tuna. Think again, says Pat Thomas
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Behind the Label: chain lube

Pat Thomas

13th May, 2009

I know, I know. Every time you think you've gone your greenest, some killjoy comes along and raises the bar a little higher. Apologies in advance. more...

Behind the Label: Pantene Pro-V Style

Pat Thomas

10th April, 2009

Farah brought us the flick. Jennifer gave us the ‘Rachel’. Madonna made ‘blonde ambition’ a desirable thing – at least for a while. And Britney? Well, she got fed up and shaved all hers off. more...

Behind the Label: Comfort Fabric Softener

Pat Thomas

12th February, 2009

Soft towels, fluffy fleeces and synthetic fabrics don’t cling. What’s not to like? Well, try skin irritation, increased flammability and environmental pollution, for starters. It seems the average bottle of fabric softener has a dark side. more...