Better Business Bureau Warns Against “Pink Washing” in October

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and many products are promoted as benefiting charities dedicated to cancer research or survivor assistance.

But the Better Business Bureau is warning some companies or groups selling “pink” products may not be giving the money earn from those items towards Breast Cancer research.

Fred Elsberry with the Better Business Bureau in Atlanta says it’s a practice known as “pink washing.”

“Pink washing is a term used to describe companies that claim to donate to Breast Cancer organizations, but never actually donate to those charities,” he said. “So they really just use it as kind of a hook to get you to send them money.”

Every October, thousands of products display the pink ribbon or pink packaging in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Elsberry says the Better Business Bureau has found pink products ranging from lint rollers to teddy bears.

“A lot of these products lay the amount they contribute to charities on the package, which we think is a good practice,” Elsberry said. “But other companies’ packaging only make kind of vague claims or may require consumers to mail in proof of purchase before a donation is made. Of course, a lot of people won’t do that so the donation to the charity is never made.”

If you are planning to support breast cancer charities by purchasing products, Elsberry advises that you look into how that purchase will benefit a charity and which charity will get the money.

“If the product doesn’t have information on the label, you can also check out the company’s Web site. A lot of companies will have that information on their Web site. However, if  you cannot find that information on their Web site, this is probably a pink washing situation,” Elsberry said.

Consumers can find reports on charities at Give.org.

The Wise Giving Alliance examines the percentage of its money a charity spends on programs, its governance, fund-raising, informational materials and effectiveness.

Charities who meet all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability can become BBB Accredited Charities.