Shein has a new controversy brewing with carcinogenic chemicals found in its women’s underwear. Shop these organic women’s underwear picks from certified sustainable brands instead of fast fashion.
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Need a new reason to quit fast fashion giant Shein? The Seoul city government found one. Recently, a statement was released that women’s underwear sold on SHEIN contained cancer-causing agents at 3x times the permitted levels. During a safety examination of 330 products in April 2024, it was found that women’s underwear sold on the app contained allylamine, a carcinogen known to increase the risk of bladder cancer.
This isn’t the first time the e-commerce brand has been outed with concerns about the adverse health effects of its products. A Greenpeace Germany report from 2022 showed that 15% of the 47 products tested contained toxic chemicals at levels above EU regulatory limits. These findings, coupled with concerns about forced labor, microplastics, chemical pollution, and fast fashion’s overall impact, give shoppers concrete reasons to shop for an alternative.
Thankfully, the alternative – women’s underwear in organic cotton – isn’t hard to find. Sustainable fashion is having its moment in the spotlight. More brands on the market offer organic cotton, Okeo-Tex certified, non-toxic, and naturally dyed essentials to restock your underwear drawer.
Subset Organic Cotton Low-Rise Brief $20
Made from 95% certified organic cotton and can be recycled through the brand. Read our review here.
Organic Basics Core High-Leg Briefs $12
Made from 95% GOTS certified 95% organic cotton.
An added benefit of shopping from brands offering organic essentials is that they’ve taken other environmental considerations. Organic Basics is a part of 1% for the Planet and has products certified by GOTS and the Global Recycled Standard. Subset has Fair Trade certifications and ships only using recycled and recyclable packaging materials.
MATE Organic Comfort High Waist Brief $28
Made from 95% organic cotton and free from pesticides, BPA, PFAS, and formaldehyde.
Third Love Cotton Thong 3 Pack Box $39
Made from 93% organic cotton and can be recycled through its Take-Back program.
Budgetnistas will love these packs that offer essentials bundled for less. You’ll find sustainable basics like lace briefs made from 95% certified organic cotton from Pact and cotton cheekies from Parade that are not organic, but are WRAP, SEDEX, or BSCI certified. ro
