Beauty
Fact-checked

At BeautyAnswered, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Healthwashing?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Healthwashing is a practice in which something is made to appear more healthy than it really is, in order to appeal to people who are concerned about health issues. Many people use the term specifically in reference to foods, although any number of products may be healthwashed, from shampoo to household cleaners. This practice has been common in many points in human history, with the nature of healthwashing shifting as societies change.

This term is closely related to “whitewashing,” a word used to describe covering something up or repurposing something to change its inner outer appearance in the hopes of hiding its inner nature. The “washing” in “whitewashing” has also been borrowed for “greenwashing,” a practice which involves making something seem more environmentally friendly than it really is. Healthwashing can be especially problematic because people are led to believe that things are healthy when in fact they can be harmful.

One example of healthwashing is misleading food labels.
One example of healthwashing is misleading food labels.

One of the most common forms of healthwashing is misleading labeling. For example, a food or supplement label may outright lie about its contents, or companies may pressure government agencies to allow them to use labeling which could potentially mislead consumers. “Natural flavors,” for example, pop up on many foods, leaving consumers to imagine what those flavors really are. In other cases, a product may stress claims of healthfulness, even if that particular form of the product is not very healthy.

In healthwashing, supplement labels may outright lie about their contents.
In healthwashing, supplement labels may outright lie about their contents.

Healthwashing also involves conscious efforts on the parts of companies and organizations to suppress information about their products which could damage their reputation. For example, many companies railed against claims that transfats were harmful, because they did not want to have to disclose the content of transfats in their foods. When proposals were made to make labeling of transfats mandatory, the baking industry in particular kicked up quite a fuss, because it wanted to continue healthwashing its products by concealing the presence of transfats.

Some shampoos and other hair-care products are "healthwashed" by their manufacturers.
Some shampoos and other hair-care products are "healthwashed" by their manufacturers.

Snack foods in particular are often healthwashed, because consumers want to be able to snack without feeling guilty. Some snacks are actually specifically marketed as health products; granola bars are a well-known example, while others simply have claims on their labels which suggest that they provide some sort of nutritional value. Healthwashing is also used to sell cleaning products and a wide variety of household goods to consumers who are worried about their health and the substances they interact with.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a BeautyAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a BeautyAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • One example of healthwashing is misleading food labels.
      By: Art Allianz
      One example of healthwashing is misleading food labels.
    • In healthwashing, supplement labels may outright lie about their contents.
      By: charles taylor
      In healthwashing, supplement labels may outright lie about their contents.
    • Some shampoos and other hair-care products are "healthwashed" by their manufacturers.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      Some shampoos and other hair-care products are "healthwashed" by their manufacturers.