Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Here's my latest update: I'm giving an extra star for the company, not the product. They were very willing to work with me and provide me the info I asked for. That being said, here is my analysis of the ingredients after being provided with the MSDS for the pigments used. I had to sign a non-disclosure, so I cannot disclose the ingredients I can disclose my analysis: So first of all, every single ones of these states: "On the basis of available information, exposure to this material is not expected to produce significant adverse human health effects; however, use of appropriate good industrial hygiene and safety precautions to control exposure is recommended when handling or using this material." Each seems to state that repeated exposure leads to higher risks. Like a child playing with it for an hour a day, having their skin in constant contact with it. It's the same sort of "we're pretty sure it's safe until someone proves to us otherwise". It's very Big Pharma-esque and I don't like it. 2. The Blue is, in fact, synthetic. EWG states the risk as low to moderate (but not non-existent, it's rated 1-4, again, based on exposure) The Blue Pigment from EWG: One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs Also, it has been banned for use in cosmetics, that is a HUGE red flag! Concern Reference Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics CosIng Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook 3. The red pigment from EWG: Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful Environment Canada Domestic Substance List Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - (only for products for use on the lips) FDA 4. The Yellow MSDS states: Repeated exposure may cause an allergic skin reaction. Again, we're talking about kids handling this daily!! Other than that, I can find little information on this. Even the chemical companies have limited data (that's not a good thing). Also, all of these pigments are listed as chemicals. In conclusion, while I appreciate their transparency with me, and while I was willing to overlook the use of soy oil (which contains phytoestrogens), these chemicals that they are now putting in this playdough are not benign and, at the very least, are not even remotely as safe as turmeric, beetroot, cabbage and spinach. If you're going to use less safe materials, at least charge less. I'd love to be able to say I found this safe for my son, but I didn't. I still feel as though it's not safer than playdough, which probably uses similar synthetics and pigments. I'm really sad to see the continual trend of "natural companies" moving further and further from "natural", but more importantly, from "safe", because I know full well that many natural things can be just as unsafe. Like I said, I'd gladly pay twice as much for safety. As it stands, I guess I'll have to learn to make my own :-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Updated: Our family will no longer be buying this product. It now contains "inorganic" dyes. They don't even tell you which ones - many of these compounds are heavy metals and things I'd want my child handling even LESS than synthetic dyes. Defeats the purpose, you might as well buy regular old playdough if you don't care about exposing your kids to toxic dyes/materials, it lasts longer and is way cheaper. If you have been buying this because it was safe and free of harmful dyes, don't buy it any more. I am sending mine back. The company emailed me regarding this review and asked me to correct the use of the term synthetic. It was an error and I did so. That does not change my review. I have asked them to send me the full and complete list of "inorganic compounds" they use in the dyes. A company cannot claim "full transparency" without disclosing that. The only thing listed on the box is "inorganic pigments", that is NOT full disclosure. If and when I receive the full list of dye ingredients, I will modify this review and list the safety of those ingredients one-by-one.