Women Sue Victoria’s Secret Over Bra Allergies
Posted on November 12, 2008
Filed Under Fashion, Health, Justice, lingerie, Shopping, Women | Comments Off on Women Sue Victoria’s Secret Over Bra Allergies
Several women have claimed that underwear from the Victoria Secret have made them ill.
One woman even claims to have been left permanently scarred after wearing the Angels Secret Embrace bra.
Roberta Ritter, 37, claims:
“I had the welts that were very red, hot to the touch, extremely inflamed, blistery.”It itched profusely.
I couldn’t sleep and was waking up itching.”
Miss Ritter, from Ohio, has filed a lawsuit against Victoria’s Secret in May and claims she has been contacted by dozens of women suffering similar symptoms who are now seeking permission to join her in a class action.
Her lawyers said they purchased the same bra types that Miss Ritter had bought and had them laboratory tested. They claim the tests revealed that the bras showed traces of formaldehyde, which is used in the textile industry to make fabrics crease-resistant. The lawyers believe Miss Ritter may be allergic to formaldehyde.
A US medical Web site was flooded with complaints against the underwear company. However, a spokesman for Victoria’s Secret has denied that formaldehyde is used to produce its bras.
“We have strict quality controls around our products, and we do not use formaldehyde in our bras,”
the company said in a statement. “We are sorry that a small number of people have had an issue,’ he added.
“Customer safety and satisfaction are always our primary concerns and we take seriously any issues that
our customers may have with our products.”
Ritter, and others who seek to join her in a class action, are demanding compensation.
A judge will decide next year if a class action can proceed.
