Is Clorox changing Burt's Bees products?

No. We hear this question a fair amount lately, and we understand why. It’s tough to know what will happen to a company and its products after an acquisition. From John’s posts below, we’re looking to answer your questions about our company on an ongoing basis. Now, it’s my turn to update you on our products.

Clorox is not involved in the creation of new products, changes to existing products or discontinuation decisions on existing products. Burt’s Bees remains focused on creating the most natural, most sustainable, and most effective natural products possible. That is our mission, and Clorox respects our commitment to producing natural products that are of highest quality and effectiveness.

That being said, there are changes going on around here. With the launch of the Natural Standard for Personal Care Products in May 2008, we are comprehensively reviewing our product offering. During this review, we are challenging ourselves with 3 questions:

1. Is the product as natural as possible?
   Our goal is that every Burt’s Bees product should be 100% natural. If it isn’t 100% natural currently - then we’re looking at ways we can improve it.
   


2. Are the sources of our ingredients as sustainable as possible?
   We firmly believe that our ingredients must be derived from renewable and sustainable sources. Some of our existing products will change so that we can meet this commitment.
   
   
3. Is the product as good as, or better than, similar products available to our consumers?
   Sometimes, the answer is a heartbreaking “No.” When we realize that a product isn’t the best it can be then we ask ourselves, “Should we make it?” Sometimes, we’re finding that we shouldn’t.
   
   As tough a decision as it was - our oral care products were discontinued in 2006 because we felt they didn’t measure up. Were they good products? Yes. Were they the best natural toothpastes on the market? No. Does this mean we’re out of making natural oral care products completely? No. We’re still trying to crack it, and we’re working diligently to formulate natural toothpastes and other natural oral care products that will truly deliver against your expectations, and ours.

For our loyal consumers who love certain products, we recognize that some of these changes may be unwelcome. As you start to see the products on store shelves, please let us know what you think. Our goal is to improve, not alienate and we welcome all of your feedback. Only with productive dialogue will we continue to improve our well-loved Burt’s Bees products.

Mia Meachem
Director, Global Marketing