Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile7 entries
2026
P&G investor questions LGBTQ giving as reputational 'risk,' seeks report
Issue disclosure
A Proctor and Gamble investor has raised questions about the company's giving to LGBTQ causes, describing it as a reputational "risk," and is seeking a report from the company. The investor's request concerns the company's donations to LGBTQ causes and frames such giving as a potential reputational concern. The company has been asked to provide a report in response.
A P&G investor has questioned the company's giving to LGBTQ causes as a reputational 'risk' and is seeking a report from the company.
Stated objective. To obtain a report on LGBTQ giving as a reputational risk
Source excerpt
P&G investor questions LGBTQ giving as reputational 'risk,' seeks report
2022
CAO Group files patent complaint against P&G over Crest whitening strips
Lawsuit filed
In a controversy noted in the brand's wiki, CAO Group filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging that Procter & Gamble's Crest teeth whitening strip products infringe CAO patents. The source reports the allegation only and does not state that a court has reached any determination on the claim.
Source excerpt
The CAO Group, Inc. (CAO), a world leading high-technology dental company, has filed a complaint with the United States District Court for the Central District of California against The Procter & Gamble Company and The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, declaring that their Crest® teeth whitening strip products infringe claims of CAO's U.S. patents 10,603,259 and 10,646,419.
2021
Procter & Gamble recalls aerosol hair products
Recall announced
Procter & Gamble is recalling more than 30 aerosol spray products, including dry shampoo and conditioners, over concerns about benzene levels. The recall includes products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences and Waterless.
Company response
Recall — Procter & Gamble
The FDA hasn't received any reports of adverse effects, but the company is pulling the products just to be safe.
Refund or compensation — brands affected by the recall
Consumers can get a refund by contacting the brands affected by the recall.
Source excerpt
The recall is due to concerns over the levels of the chemical benzene, which is known to cause cancer.
The FDA hasn't received any reports of adverse effects, but the company is pulling the products just to be safe.
Products from the brands Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences and Waterless products are included in the recall.
2021
P&G recalls aerosol dry shampoo and conditioner products over benzene
Recall announced
The Procter & Gamble Company announced a voluntary consumer-level recall of specified aerosol dry conditioner and dry shampoo products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Waterless, Old Spice, and Hair Food after benzene was detected in some products. The company said the benzene came from the propellant and offered reimbursement for eligible products.
Company response
Recall — The Procter & Gamble Company
The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) today issued a voluntary product recall to the consumer level of aerosol dry conditioner spray products and aerosol dry shampoo spray products
Refund or compensation — P&G brands
Our brands will also offer reimbursement for consumers who have purchased products impacted by this recall.
Source excerpt
Our brands will also offer reimbursement for consumers who have purchased products impacted by this recall.
The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) today issued a voluntary product recall to the consumer level of aerosol dry conditioner spray products and aerosol dry shampoo spray products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, and Waterless produced in the United States, in addition to previously discontinued aerosol dry shampoo products from Old Spice and Hair Food, due to the presence of benzene detected in some products.
According to the recall notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences and Waterless, which were produced in the United States, were recalled out of an abundance of caution after benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer with repeated exposure, was "detected in some products."
2021
US lawmakers condemn Beijing Olympics sponsors
Public backlash
A bipartisan US congressional group condemned US companies sponsoring the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, saying they refused to condemn the Chinese government's treatment of Uyghurs. The companies' representatives testified at a hearing; Coca-Cola's representative said the company respected all human rights.
Source excerpt
马林诺夫斯基反复询问可口可乐是否会特别谴责中共政府对维吾尔人的任何虐待时，可口可乐全球人权事务副总裁拉利说，“我们尊重所有人权。”
出席听证会的公司包括爱彼迎（Airbnb）、可口可乐、英特尔、宝洁、Visa公司。
周二（7月27日），美国国会一个两党小组谴责了2022年北京冬奥会的几家美国企业赞助商，其中包括可口可乐、Visa公司和爱彼迎（Airbnb）。议员们称，这些公司为保住在中国的利润而拒绝谴责中共的种族灭绝行为。
2020
India's anti-profiteering authority fines three companies over GST benefits
Fine or penalty
India's National Anti-Profiteering Authority imposed a fine of more than Rs 241.5 crore on P&G Home Products, P&G Hygiene and Healthcare, and Gillette India, stating that they had not passed on GST rate-cut benefits to consumers. The companies were required to deposit half of the determined profiteered amount in the Central Consumer Welfare Fund and the other half in state and Union Territory funds. A P&G spokesperson said the companies had passed on the net commensurate benefit and that P&G would review the order and assess legal options.
India’s National Anti-Profiteering Authority imposed a fine of more than Rs 241.5 crore on P&G Home Products, P&G Hygiene and Healthcare, and Gillette India, saying they had not passed on GST rate-cut benefits to consumers. The companies were required to deposit half of the determined profiteered amount in the Central Consumer Welfare Fund and the other half in state and Union Territory funds. A P&G spokesperson said the companies had passed on the net commensurate benefit and that P&G would review the order and assess legal options.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Procter & Gamble
P&G will review the order by NAA, and assess all possible legal options, said the spokesperson, adding: “We are hopeful that our stand will be vindicated.”
Source excerpt
the National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) has imposed a fine of over Rs 241.5 crore on P&G Home Products, P&G Hygiene and Healthcare and Gillette India Ltd for not passing on benefits of GST rate cut to the consumers.
P&G will review the order by NAA, and assess all possible legal options, said the spokesperson, adding: “We are hopeful that our stand will be vindicated.”
New Delhi, Nov 26 :
2020
Earth Island Institute sues companies over plastic packaging pollution in California
Lawsuit filed
Earth Island Institute filed a lawsuit in a California court against Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nestle USA, Procter & Gamble and other companies, seeking unspecified damages and an order requiring them to clean up plastic waste. The group alleges that plastic packaging from the companies is fouling California waters and says their products contributed to a global pollution crisis; these are allegations in the lawsuit, not a court determination.
Stated objective. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and an order for the companies to clean up plastic waste.
Source excerpt
The Earth Island Institute asked for unspecified damages and an order for Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nestle USA, Procter & Gamble and six other companies to clean up plastic waste that the group says has created a global pollution crisis.
Escalating a campaign to make corporations responsible for the waste they produce, an environmental group filed suit Wednesday against some of the world’s biggest food, beverage and consumer goods companies in a California court, arguing they should be held responsible for plastic packaging that is fouling the state's oceans, rivers and streams.
The suit names those companies, along with Nestle USA, Crystal Geyser Water, Clorox, Mars and Danone North America.